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JEAN  de 

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I 


FOLK    TALES    OF 

FLANDERS 


"  HE  TORE  A  RIB  FROM  HIS  SIDE  AND  CUT  OFF  MY  EAR " 

[See  page  21] 


FOLK  TALES  OF 

FLANDERS 

COLLECTED  AND 
,  ILLUSTRATED  BY 
JEAN  DE  BOSSCHERE 


NEW   YORK 

DODD,  MEAD  &  COMPANY 

1918 


i  '^ 

\*>        i 

'  x2> 

\J 

b 


PRINTED  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN 
AT  THE  COMPLETE  PRESS 
WEST  NORWOOD  I.ONDON 


CONTENTS 


UPS  AND  DOWNS 

THE  THREE  MONKEYS 

HOW  THE  GOLDFINCH  GOT  HIS  COLOURS 

THE  COCK  AND  THE  FOX 

THE  MOST  CUNNING  ANIMAL 

SPONSKEN  AND  THE  GIANT 

WHY  CATS  ALWAYS  WASH  AFTER  EATING 

THE  CHORISTERS  OF  ST.  GUDULE 

THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 

THE  MAGIC  CAP 

SUGAR-CANDY  HOUSE 

POOR  PETER 

THE  PEASANT  AND  HIS  ASS 


I 

5 
10 

H 
'9 

22 
40 

41 

5° 
83 
9i 
95 
103 

vii 


CONTENTS 

PAGB 

THE  KING  OF  THE  BIRDS  109 

A  DRUM  FULL  OF  BEES  116 

THE  DRUNKEN  ROOKS  131 

THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  BIRDS  AND  BEASTS  133 

THE  END  OF  THE  WORLD  139 

THE  REWARD  OF  THE  WORLD  147 

ONE  BAD  TURN  BEGETS  ANOTHER  153 

THE  PEASANT  AND  THE  SATYRS  159 

THE  TWO  FRIENDS  AND  THE  BARREL  OF  GREASE  i63 

WHY  THE  BEAR  HAS  A  STUMPY  TAIL  168 

THE  WITCH'S  CAT  i73 


Vlll 


J-B. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


IN  COLOUR 

"HE  TORE  A  RIB  FROM  HIS  SIDE  AND  CUT  OFF  MY  EAR" 

"  I  HOPE  YOU  WILL  ENJOY  YOUR  DRINK.    GOOD-BYE  I  " 

ALL  THE  BIRDS  WERE  VERY  PROUD  OF  THEIR  APPEARANCE 

"WHAT  ELSE  CAN  I  DO  1  "  ASKED  CHANTICLEER 

THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  Fox 

"YOU  HAVE  MERITED  DEATH  A  HUNDRED  TIMES  " 

JAN  AND  JANNETTE 

BIRDS  GOING  TO  THE  RACE 

THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  BIRDS  AND  BEASTS 

AN  IMMENSE  DRAGON  LYING  BY  THE  WATER-SIDE 

THE  SATYRS'  VILLAGE 

"  ALL  YOU  HAVE  TO  DO  IS  TO  SIT  ON  THE  ICE " 


Frontispiece 


Factng 
page 


2 
12 

44 
68 
80 
90 

112 

132 

148 

160 

170 


IX 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 
IN  BLACK  AND  WHITE 

PAGE 

THERE  HE  MET  MISTRESS  GOAT  i 

THE  FARMER  PUT  HER  IN  THE  FOLD  3 

UP  AND  DOWN  4 

THREE  FRIENDS  5 

LITTLE  JAMES  GOT  PUSHED  OVER  THE  SIDE  7 

"  PULL,  BROTHER,  PULL,  AND  WE'LL  SOON  HAVE  HIM  OUT  "  8 

HE  HAPPENED  TO  LOOK  IN  THE  MlRROR  9 

BIRDS  10 

THE  ANGEL  WHOSE  MISSION  IT  WAS  TO  COLOUR  THE  BIRDS  n 

HE  TOOK  A  PLACE  AMONG  THE  MOST  BEAUTIFUL  OF  THEM  ALL  12 

SONG  OF  GRATITUDE  13 

THE  Fox  WAS  NOT  A  LITTLE  FRIGHTENED  14 

"  DON'T   GO  AWAY,   MY  DEAR  FRIEND,"   SAID  THE   FOX  17 

"  THAT  is  TRUE,"  SAID  THE  COCK  TO  HIMSELF  18 

THE  SOLDIER,  THE  Fox,  AND  THE  BEAR  19 

THERE  WAS  A  FLASH,  A  LOUD  REPORT  ...  21 

THE  TWO  HEROES  OF  THE  STORY  22 

SPONSKEN,  THE  GIANT,  AND  THE  PRINCESS  25 

HE  TOSSED   THE   BlRD   INTO   THE   AlR  27 

"  THE  THREE  ANIMALS  ARE  A  BEAR,  A  UNICORN,  AND  A  WILD  BOAR  "  28 

THE  BEAR  FOLLOWED  HIM  INTO  THE  HOLLOW  TRUNK  29 

WITH  A  MIGHTY  CRASH  HE  RAN  FULL  TILT  INTO  THE  TREE  31 

SPONSKEN,  THE  PRINCESS,  THE  GIANT  33 

ALL  THE  ATTENDANTS  FLED  AT  ONCE  37 

MARRIED  A  GIRL  39 

THE  CAT  AND  THE  SPARROW  40 

"I'VE  JUST  BEEN  TURNED  OUT  OF  HOUSE  "  4! 

"  THEY  LAUGH  AT  ME  "  43 

"  HUSH  !  "  SAID  CHANTICLEER  45 

BREAKING  THE  GLASS  TO  SMITHEREENS  47 

THE  ROBBERS  LOST  NO  TIME  IN  DECAMPING  49 

THE  KING  50 

AT  THE  HEAD  OF  THE  PROCESSION  MARCHED  CHANTICLEER  53 

THE  Fox's  CHATEAU  55 

THE  POOR  BEAST  ROARED  WITH  PAIN  57 

HE  IMMEDIATELY  CALLED  A  COUNCIL  OF  HIS  MINISTERS  59 

"  TAKE  ME  TO  THIS  HOUSE  "  61 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


PACK 


"  TYBERT  AND  BRUIN  ARE  BADLY  KNOCKED  ABOUT  "  63 

"  AND  CAUSED  HIM  TO  JUMP  AT  LEAST  TWENTY  FEET  INTO  THE  AIR  "  64 

"  I  WAS  MISCHIEVOUS  AND  UNRULY  "  67 

"  AND  PEARLS  TOO  ?  "  SHE  WHISPERED  69 

"  I  SAW  HIM  STOP  AT  THE  FOOT  OF  A  GREAT  TREE  "  71 

THE  CONSPIRACY  GAINED  ADHERENTS  EVERY  DAY  73 

THE  SUIT  OF  GOLDEN  ARMOUR  EMRIK  WORE  75 

THEY  WALKED  IN  SILENCE  77 

REYNARD  SPRANG  AT  HIS  THROAT  79 

THE  KING  OF  THAT  LAND  CAUGHT  HIM  82 

CALF  AND  GOAT  83 

"  YOU  WERE  BEING  MADE  A  FOOL  OF  "  85 

JAN  AND  THE  THREE  STUDENTS  87 

TWIRLED  THE  CAP  ROUND  THREE  TIMES  ON  HIS  FINGER  89 

AND  DIPPED  THEM  INTO  THE  HORSE-TROUGH  90 

WERE  CARRIED  SAFELY  OVER  TO  THE  OTHER  BANK  91 

"  GR-R-R,  I'LL  EAT  THEM  UP  !  "  93 

WOLF'S  HEAD  94 

JACO  PETER  AND  HIS  FRIEND  95 

"  SMEAR  YOURSELF  FROM  HEAD  TO  FOOT  "  97 

REYNARD  SEIZED  THE  OPPORTUNITY  TO  WARN  HIS  FRIEND  99 

AN  EXCLAMATION  OF  ASTONISHMENT  100 

AWAY  WENT  THE  COACHES  102 

"  OH  DEAR  ME,  THAT'S  TWICE  !  "  103 

"  HALLO,  MY  MAN,"  CRIED  THE  LORD  105 

"  I  CAN'T  GET  UP,  BECAUSE  I'M  DEAD  !  "  107 

SENT  HIM  SPRAWLING  FROM  TOP  TO  BOTTOM  OF  THE  STAIRS  108 

THE  EAGLE  AND  THE  KINGLET  109 

"  IS  OUR  KING  THEN  ONLY  TO  BE  LOOKED  AT  ?  "  HI 

THERE  WAS  THE  SOUND  AS  OF  A  RUSHING  MIGHTY  WIND  113 

HE  IS  KNOWN  AS  THE  KlNGLET  115 

DONATUS  Il6 

THERE  WAS  A  KNOT-HOLE  IN  THE  WOODEN  FLOOR  119 

"  I  DID  NOT  HEAR  YOU  KNOCK  "  121 
THE  SWARM  OF  BEES  WITHIN  BEGAN  TO  BUZZ  ABOUT  IN  GREAT  COMMOTION      123 

BEATING  ANOTHER  TATTOO  UPON  THE  DRUM  124 

THE  BEADLE,  TOO,  STUMBLED  AND  FELL  125 

HE  HAD  FAITHFULLY  CARRIED  OUT  ALL  HIS  INSTRUCTIONS  127 

IT  WAS  THE  LABOURER  DRESSED  IN  THE  DRUMMER'S  CLOTHES  128 

xi 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 


RODE  STRAIGHT  INTO  A  MARSH  130 

WHEN  THE  FIFTY  ROOKS  BEGAN  TO  PLY  HE  COULD  NOT  GET  FREE  131 

THE  ROOKS  132 

FIGHTING  133 

THE  KINGLET  WARNED  HIM  TO  BE  VERY  CAREFUL  NOT  TO  BUZZ  135 

THE  GREAT  OFFENSIVE  BEGAN  137 

THE  Fox  138 

THE  CAT  RUSHED  OUT  OF  THE  ROOM  139 

THE  CAT,  THE  DOG,  THE  COCK,  THE  RABBIT,  AND  THE  GOOSE                           141 

"  SEE  IF  YOU  CAN  ESPY  A  HOUSE  "  142 

"  JUMP  ON  TO  MY  BEAUTIFUL  CURLY  TAIL  "  143 

THE  OTHER  FOUR  GOT  ON  TO  THE  DOG'S  BACK  145 

SENT  ME  FLYING  THROUGH  THE  AIR  146 

THE  DRAGON  147 

"  MY  SIGHT  IS  SO  WEAK  AND  MY  POWERS  SO  FEEBLE  "  149 

"  DOES  THE  DRAGON  MIND  GETTING  UNDER  THE  STONE  AGAIN  ?  "  151 

Two  FOXES  152 

NOTHING  WAS  LEFT  OF  THE  FISHES  153 

THE  BIGGEST  AND  FATTEST  FlSH  155 

STRETCHED  HIMSELF  OUT  AT  FULL  LENGTH  156 

"  I  WILLINGLY  GIVE  YOU  YOURS  !  "  158 

"  WHY  ARE  YOU  BLOWING  YOUR  SOUP  ?  "  159 
"  THERE  is  NO  PLACE  IN  MY  HOUSE  FOR  A  MAN  WHO  CAN  BLOW  HOT 

AND  COLD  "  161 

SATYR  162 

THE  Two  FRIENDS  163 

"  WHERE  HAS  ALL  OUR  GREASE  GONE  ?  "  165 

BEGUN,  HALF-DONE,  ALL-DONE  167 

MRS.  BRUIN  AND  REYNARD  168 

"  AFTER  A  TIME  THE  FISH  WILL  COME  TO  BITE  AT  IT  "  169 

"  ONE,  TWO,  THREE  .  .  . !  "  171 

BORN  WITH  A  LITTLE  STUMPY  TAIL  172 

MARGOT  AND  THE  CAT  173 

SHE  MEANT  TO  KEEP  HER  THERE  UNTIL  SHE  HAD  GROWN  BlGGER  AND  FATTER     175 

PADDLING  WITH  HER  BROOM  177 

HE  WAS  REALLY  A  PRINCE  179 


Xll 


THERE  HE  MET  MISTRESS  GOAT 


UPS  AND  DOWNS 

HE  summer  had  been  very  hot.  Not  a  drop  of 
rain  had  fallen  for  many  weeks,  and  there  was 
drought  in  the  valley  where  the  animals  lived. 
The  streams  had  dried  up  and  the  springs  had 
ceased  to  flow.  Master  Fox  took  up  his  pipe 
and  went  out  to  take  a  walk  under  the  lime- 
trees  to  think  things  over.  There  he  met  Mistress  Goat, 
all  dressed  up  in  her  Sunday  clothes. 

"  Good  morrow,  cousin,"  said  he.  '  You  are  very  fine 
to-day." 

"  Yes,"  she  answered,  "  I  put  on  my  best  dress  because 
it  helps  me  to  think.  What  we  are  to  do  for  water  I  do  not 
know.  We  have  finished  all  that  we  had  in  the  barrel,  and 
unless  we  can  find  some  more  very  quickly  I  and  my  children 
will  die  of  thirst." 

"  To  tell  you  the  truth,"  said  the  Fox,  "  I  was  thinking 
the  same  thing.  I  am  so  dry  that  my  tongue  is  sticking  to 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

the  roof  of  my  mouth,  and  I  cannot  even  smoke  my  pipe 
with  pleasure.  What  do  you  say  to  going  together  in  search 
of  water  ?  Four  eyes  are  better  than  two,  any  day  in  the 
week." 

!<  Agreed,"  said  the  Goat ;  and  away  they  started  together. 
For  a  long  time  they  looked  everywhere,  but  not  a  trace  of 
water  could  they  find.  All  of  a  sudden  the  Goat  gave  a 
cry  of  joy,  and  running  up  to  her  the  Fox  saw  that  she  had 
discovered  a  well,  on  the  brink  of  which  she  was  standing 
gazing  at  the  cool  water  far  below. 

'  Hurrah  !  "  cried  the  Fox.    "  We  are  saved  !  " 
'  Yes,"  answered  the  Goat,  "  but  see  how  far  down  the 
water  is  !    How  are  we  to  get  at  it ! ' 

"  You  just  leave  that  to  me,"  said  the  Fox.  "  I  know  all 
about  wells — Fve  seen  them  before.  All  one  has  to  do  is 
to  get  into  the  bucket  which  is  hanging  by  the  rope  and 
descend  as  smoothly  and  as  safely  as  you  please.  I'll  go  first, 
just  to  show  you  the  way." 

So  the  Fox  got  into  the  bucket,  and  the  weight  of  him 
caused  it  to  descend,  while  the  empty  bucket  at  the  other 
end  of  the  rope  rose  to  the  top  of  the  well.  A  minute 
afterwards  he  was  at  the  bottom,  leaning  over  the  side  of 
the  pail  and  greedily  lapping  up  the  water.  Nothing  had 
ever  tasted  so  delicious.  He  drank  and  drank  until  he  could 
hold  no  more. 

"Is  it  good  ?  rt  cried  Mrs.  Goat  from  above,  dancing 
with  impatience. 

"  It  is  like  the  purest  nectar  !  "  answered  the  Fox.  "  Get 
into  the  bucket  quickly  and  come  down  and  join  me." 

So  the  goat  stepped  into  the  bucket,  which  immediately 
began  to  descend  with  her  weight,  while  at  the  same  time 
the  bucket  with  Master  Fox  in  it  began  to  rise  to  the  surface. 
The  two  met  half-way. 

"  How  is  this  ? '  asked  Mrs.  Goat  in  surprise.  "  I 
thought  you  were  going  to  wait  for  me  ! ' 

"  Ah,  my  dear  friend,"  answered  Reynard  with  a 
wicked  grin,  'it  is  the  way  of  the  world.  Some  go 

2 


"I  HOPE  YOU  WILL  ENJOY  YOUR  DRINK.     GOOD-BYE!' 


THE  FARMER  PUT  HER  IN  THE  FOLD 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

up  and  some  go  down.  I  hope  you  will  enjoy  your  drink, 
Good-bye  ! ' 

And  as  soon  as  he  got  to  the  top  he  jumped  out  of  the 
bucket  and  ran  off  at  top  speed. 

So  poor  Mrs.  Goat  had  to  stay  there  at  the  bottom  of 
the  well  until  the  farmer  came  and  found  her,  half  dead 
with  cold.  When  at  last  she  was  rescued  she  found  that 
she  had  only  exchanged  one  prison  for  another,  for  the 
farmer  put  her  into  the  fold  with  his  own  sheep  and  goats, 
and  so  she  lost  her  liberty  for  ever. 


THREE  FRIENDS 


THE  THREE  MONKEYS 

HERE  were  once  three  monkeys  who  were  going 
for  a  voyage  in  a  balloon.  (This  was  in  Monkey- 
land,  far,  far  away  and  ever  so  long  ago.)  The 
three  were  so  much  alike  that  it  was  impossible 
to  tell  one  from  the  other,  and  to  make  matters 
worse  each  of  them  answered  to  the  name  of 
James.  Such  a  thing  would  never  do  in  the  crew  of  a  balloon, 
so  the  old  monkey  who  was  in  command  decided  that  each 
of  the  three  should  have  a  different  name.  The  first  was  to 
be  called  James,  the  second  Jemmy,  and  the  third  Little 
James. 

So  far  so  good.  The  three  monkeys  climbed  into  the 
balloon,  the  ground  ropes  were  untied,  and  the  voyage  was 
begun.  When  they  had  reached  a  height  of  some  hundreds 
of  feet,  the  captain  wished  to  give  an  order,  so  he  called  to  the 
first  monkey :  "  James  !  ' 

"  Aye  aye,  sir,"  said  all  the  three,  running  up  to  him. 

5 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

"  I  called  James,"  said  the  captain,  looking  from  one  to 
the  other. 

"  Well,  I  am  James,"  answered  the  first  monkey. 
'  No,  no.    James  is  my  name,"  said  the  second. 

"  And  mine  too,"  said  the  third. 

"  How  can  you  be  James  if  I  am  he  ?  "  cried  the  first 
angrily. 

"  I  tell  you  James  is  my  name  !  "  cried  the  second. 

"  No,  mine  ! ' 

And  so  the  three  monkeys  began  to  quarrel  and  dispute. 
Words  led  to  blows,  and  soon  they  were  tumbling  about  all 
over  the  car  of  the  balloon,  biting,  scratching,  and  pummelling 
while  the  captain  sat  in  his  chair  and  bawled  to  them  to  stop. 
Every  minute  it  seemed  as  though  the  car  would  overturn, 
and  the  end  of  it  was  that  Little  James  got  pushed  over  the 
side.  He  turned  a  beautiful  somersault,  and  fell  down, 
down,  down  through  the  air,  landing  in  a  soft  bed  of  mud, 
into  which  he  sank  so  that  only  his  face  and  the  top  of  his 
yellow  cranium  were  visible. 

"  Help  !  help  !  "  bawled  Little  James  at  the  top  of  his  voice. 

Up  ran  a  pair  of  monkeys  belonging  to  the  neighbourhood 
and  stood  looking  at  him. 

'  He's  in  the  mud,  brother,"  said  one. 

"  Up  to  his  neck,"  said  the  other.  "  How  silly  !  '  And 
they  both  began  to  grin. 

4  Help  !  "  cried  Little  James  again,  more  faintly,  for  he 
was  sinking  deeper,  and  the  mud  was  nearly  at  the  level  of 
his  mouth.  "  Pull  me  out !  Pull  me  out !  " 

'  Ah,  but  how  ?  "  asked  the  first  monkey,  looking  at  him 
gravely. 

'  Wait  a  minute,"  cried  the  second,  "  I  have  an  idea  !  ' 
and  he  pulled  out  of  his  pocket  one  of  those  leather  suckers 
on  a  string  which  boys  use  to  lift  stones.     Moistening  the 
disc,  he  clapped  it  on  to  Little  James's  head,  and  began  to 
tug  on  the  cord  with  all  his  might. 

'  Hey ! '     cried   the    other   monkey,    running    to    help. 
"  Pull,  brother,  pull,  and  we'll  soon  have  him  out !  ' 
6 


LITTLE  JAMES  GOT  PUSHED  OVER  THE  SIDE 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Crack !  The  cord  snapped  suddenly,  and  the  two  monkeys 
tumbled  head  over  heels.  Never  mind  ;  they  got  another 
cord  to  repair  the  damage,  and  this  time  they  succeeded  in 
pulling  Little  James  clear  of  the  mud. 

Did  I  say  Little  James  ?  Alas  !  it  was  only  half  of  him  ! 
His  rescuers  had  pulled  so  hard  that  he  had  broken  off  short 

in  the  middle,  and 
his  two  legs  were  left 
embedded  in  the 
mud. 

"  Dear  me  !  "  said 
the  first  monkey, 
scratching  his  head. 
"  This  is  very  sad. 
The  poor  fellow  has 
lost  his  legs.  What 
shall  we  do  ?  " 

:'  Let  us  make  him 
some  wooden  ones  !  " 
said  the  other. 

So  said,  so  done. 
They  made  him  a 
beautiful  pair  of 
wooden  legs,  and 
Little  James  hobbled 
painfully  home.  By 
the  time  he  reached 
his  house  he  felt  so 
ill  that  he  went 
straight  to  bed.  '  I  believe  I  am  going  to  die,"  he  said  to 
himself.  '  I  must  make  my  will  and  set  down  the  cause 
of  my  death." 

So  he  sent  for  pen  and  paper  and  began  to  write.  Before 
very  long,  however,  he  stopped  and  began  to  scratch  his 
head  in  perplexity.  "If  I  am  going  to  die,"  he  thought, 
'  I  must  be  going  to  die  of  something  !  Now,  what  am 
I  going  to  die  of  ?  This  must  be  carefully  considered, 
8 


PULL,    BROTHER,   PULL,  AND    WE'LL  SOON  HAVE 
HIM   OUT" 


THE  THREE   MONKEYS 

for  above  all  one  must  write  the  truth  in  one's  last 
testament  !  ' 

So  he  pondered  and  pondered,  but  he  could  not  make  up 
his  mind  as  to  the  cause  of  his  death.  Was  he  going  to  die 
of  the  fall  from  the  balloon,  or  of  his  broken  legs,  or  what  ? 
Just  then  he  happened  to  look  in  the  mirror  by  the  bedside, 
and  saw  that  there  was  a  lump  on  his  forehead,  which  he  had 
got  while  fighting  with  James  and  Jemmy  in  the  balloon. 

'  Why,  of  course,"  cried  he,  "  I  am  going  to  die  of  that 
big  bruise  on  my  forehead  !  '  So  he  wrote  it  down  in  his 
will,  and  then,  happy  at  having  solved  the  difficulty,  turned 
over  on  his  side  and  died. 

And,  as  I  said  before,  this  all  took  place  in  Monkey-land, 
ever  so  long  ago. 


BIRDS 


HOW  THE  GOLDFINCH  GOT 
HIS  COLOURS 

HEN  the  Angel  whose  mission  it  was  to  colour 
the  birds  had  finished  his  work,  he  began  to 
scrape  his  palette  and  to  make  ready  for  depar 
ture.  He  had  done  his  task  well,  for  the  plumage 
of  the  feathered  creatures  all  around  him  glowed 
with  a  thousand  glorious  colours.  There  was 
the  lordly  eagle,  arrayed  in  a  robe  of  golden  brown.  The 
peacock  had  a  tail  of  shimmering  blue  and  green  that  looked 
as  if  it  were  studded  with  precious  stones.  The  crow's  black 
coat  shone  in  the  sun  with  a  kind  of  steely  radiance,  very 
wonderful  to  behold.  The  canary  was  as  yellow  as  a  butter 
cup  ;  the  jay  had  a  spot  of  blue  sky  on  either  wing ;  even  the 
humble  sparrow  wore  a  handsome  black  neck-tie;  while 


10 


THE  ANGEL  WHOSE  MISSION  IT  WAS  TO  COLOUR  THE  BIRDS 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Chanticleer,  the  cock,  was  resplendent  in  yellow,  black,  and 
red.  All  the  birds  were  very  proud  of  their  appearance,  and 
they  strutted  about  here  and  there,  gazing  at  their  reflections 
in  the  water  and  calling  upon  their  neighbours  to  come  and 
admire  their  beauties. 

Alone  among  the  birds  the  little  goldfinch  took  no  part 
in  the  rejoicing.  Somehow  or  other  the  Angel  had  over 
looked  him,  so  that  he  remained  uncoloured,  a  drab  little 


HE  TOOK  A  PLACE  AMONG  THE  MOST  BEAUTIFUL  OF  THEM  ALL 

creature,  in  his  sober  grey  dress,  among  the  gaily  clothed 
throng.  More  than  once  he  had  tried  to  draw  the  Angel's 
attention  to  himself,  and  now,  seeing  him  cleaning  his 
palette  in  readiness  to  depart,  he  stepped  forward  and  said  : 
'*  Have  pity  on  me,  good  Angel,  and  paint  my  plumage  as 
you  have  painted  that  of  the  others,  so  that  I  may  walk  among 
them  unashamed.  I  have  nothing  to  commend  me — no 
beautiful  song  like  the  nightingale  or  the  throstle,  no  grace  of 
form  such  as  the  swallows  have.  If  I  am  to  go  unadorned, 
nothing  remains  for  me  but  to  hide  myself  among  the  leaves." 
Then  the  Angel  took  pity  on  the  little  creature,  and  would 
gladly  have  painted  him  with  glowing  colours,  but  alas,  he 
had  scraped  his  palette  clean.  Therefore  he  took  up  a  brush, 
and  going  from  bird  to  bird  took  from  each  a  spot  of  colour, 
which  he  laid  upon  the  goldfinch,  blending  a  score  of  brilliant 
hues  with  marvellous  skill.  When  he  had  finished,  the 


12 


ALL  THE  BIRDS  WERE  VERY  PROUD  OF  THEIR  APPEARANCE 


HOW  THE  GOLDFINCH  GOT  HIS  COLOURS 

tiny  bird  was  transformed,  and  from  being  the  saddest  in 
that  brilliant  company  he  took  a  place  among  the  most 
beautiful  of  them  all. 

It  is  not  possible,  by  means  of  words,  to  describe  the  beauty 
of  the  colouring  which  the  Angel  gave  to  the  goldfinch,  but 
you  may  see  him  any  day  you  like,  sitting  on  a  thistle,  and 
chirping  his  song  of  gratitude  and  praise. 


THE  Fox  WAS  NOT  A  LITTLE  FRIGHTENED 


THE  COCK  AND  THE  FOX 

HIS  is  the  story  that  the  old  woman  who  was 
called  Tante  Sannie  told  to  the  little  boy  who 
would  always  be  talking : 

A  long  time  ago  (she  said)  there  lived  in  a 
farmyard  a  Cock  who  was  very  proud  of  himself, 
and  with  reason,  too,  for  he  was,  indeed,  a 
plump  and  handsome  bird.  Nothing  could  have  been  finer 
than  his  appearance  when  he  strutted  through  the  yard,  lifting 
his  feet  high  as  he  walked,  and  nodding  his  head  at  each 
step.  He  had  a  magnificent  comb  of  coral-red,  and  blue-black 
plumage  streaked  with  gold,  which  shone  so  brilliantly  when 
the  sun  flashed  on  it  that  it  was  a  joy  to  see  him.  No 
wonder  that  his  twenty  wives  gazed  at  him  admiringly  and 
followed  him  wherever  he  went,  and  were  quite  content  to 
let  him  hustle  them  about  and  gobble  up  all  the  fattest 
worms  and  the  finest  grains  of  corn. 

«4 


THE   COCK  AND  THE   FOX 

If  this  Cock  was  proud  of  his  appearance,  there  was  one 
thing  of  which  he  was  even  prouder,  and  that  was  his  voice. 
He  was  a  famous  songster  ;  he  could  crow  you  high  and  he 
could  crow  you  low  ;  he  could  utter  tones  as  deep  as  the 
pealing  of  the  organ  in  church  or  as  shrill  as  the  blast  of  a 
trumpet.  Every  morning,  when  the  first  streak  of  dawn 
appeared  in  the  sky,  he  would  get  down  off  his  perch,  raise 
himself  on  his  toes,  stretch  out  his  neck,  close  his  eyes  and 
crow  so  loudly  that  he  roused  people  who  were  sleeping  in 
the  next  parish.  And  this  he  loved  to  do,  because  it  was 
his  nature. 

Now  in  the  forest  close  to  the  farmyard  there  lived  a  Fox 
who  had  often  gazed  with  longing  eyes  upon  the  plump  and 
handsome  bird.  His  mouth  watered  every  time  he  thought 
of  him,  and  many  were  the  artful  tricks  he  played  to  try  and 
catch  him  for  his  dinner.  One  day  he  hid  himself  among 
the  bushes  in  the  garden  by  the  farmyard  and  waited 
patiently  until  the  Cock  happened  to  stray  his  way.  After 
a  time  the  bird  came  along,  pecking  here  and  pecking  there, 
wandered  through  the  gate  into  the  garden,  and  made 
straight  for  the  bush  under  which  Master  Fox  was  hidden. 
He  was  just  going  to  run  into  the  bush  after  a  butterfly 
which  was  fluttering  about,  when  he  caught  sight  of  Rey 
nard's  black  snout  and  cunning,  watchful  eyes,  and  with  a 
squeak  of  alarm  he  jumped  aside,  just  in  time,  and  hopped 
on  to  the  wall. 

At  this  the  Fox  rose  to  his  feet.  "  Don't  go  away,  my 
dear  friend,"  said  he  in  honeyed  tones.  *  I  would  not  for 
the  world  do  you  any  harm.  I  know  that  it  is  my  bad 
fortune  to  be  disliked  by  your  family — I  can't  for  the  life 
of  me  think  why,  and  it  is  a  pity,  because  I  have  to  hide 
myself  for  the  pleasure  of  hearing  you  sing.  There  is  no 
cock  in  all  these  parts  has  such  a  magnificent  voice  as  yours, 
and  I  simply  do  not  believe  the  stories  they  tell  about  you." 

4  Eh,  what  is  that  ?  "  said  the  Cock,  stopping  at  a  safe 
distance  and  looking  at  the  Fox  with  his  head  on  one  side. 
"  What  do  they  say  ?  ' 

15 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

"  Why,"  Reynard  went  on,  edging  a  little  nearer,  "  they 
tell  me  that  you  can  only  crow  with  your  eyes  open.  They 
say  that  if  you  were  to  shut  your  eyes,  that  clarion  call  of 
yours  would  become  only  a  feeble  piping,  like  the  clucking 
of  a  new-born  chick.  But  of  course  I  don't  believe  them. 
Any  one  can  see  they  are  merely  jealous." 

*  I  should  think  so,"  cried  the  Cock,  bristling  with  anger. 

*  Crow  with  my  eyes  shut,  indeed  !    Why,  I  never  crow  in 
any   other  way.    Just   look   here — I'll   prove   it   to   you  !  ' 
And  he  raised  himself  on  his  toes,  stretched  out  his  neck, 
closed  his  eyes,  and  was  just  going  to  crow,  when,  Snap  ! 
the  Fox  sprang  upon  him  and  caught  him  in  his  teeth  ! 

Then  began  a  great  to-do  !  The  poor  cock  flapped  his 
wings  and  struggled  as  the  Fox  ran  off  with  him.  The  hens 
ran  about  the  yard  clucking  and  squawking,  and  the  noise 
they  made  alarmed  the  farmer's  wife,  who  was  cooking  in  the 
kitchen.  Out  she  came  running,  with  the  rolling-pin  in  her 
hand,  and,  seeing  the  fox  with  the  cock  in  his  mouth,  gave 
chase,  shrieking  as  she  ran.  The  farm-hands  tumbled  out 
of  barn  and  byre  armed  with  pitch-forks,  spades,  and  sticks. 
All  the  beasts  began  to  raise  a  clatter,  and  what  with  the 
shouting  of  the  men,  the  squealing  of  the  pigs,  the  neighing 
of  the  horses,  and  the  lowing  of  the  cows,  to  say  nothing  of 
the  clucking  of  the  hens  and  the  old  woman's  screaming,  one 
would  have  thought  the  end  of  the  world  was  at  hand. 

The  Fox  was  not  a  little  frightened  by  all  this  clatter, 
but  he  was  not  so  frightened  as  the  Cock,  who  saw  that 
only  cunning  would  save  his  life. 

"  They  will  catch  us  in  a  minute/'  he  said  to  the  Fox, 

*  and,  as  likely  as  not,  we  shall  both  be  killed  by  a  single 
blow.    Why  don't  you  call  out  and  tell  them  I  came  with 
you  of  my  own  accord  ?  ' 

"  A  good  idea,"  thought  the  Fox,  and  he  opened  his 
mouth  to  call  out  to  his  pursuers,  thereby  loosening  his  grip 
on  the  Cock's  neck.  Then,  with  a  squirm  and  a  twist  and 
a  flutter  of  his  wings,  the  wily  bird  wrenched  himself  free 
and  flew  up  to  the  branches  of  a  tree  near  by. 
16 


"  DON'T  GO  AWAY,  MY  DEAR  FRIEND,"  SAID  THE  FOX 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

The  Fox  cast  a  look  at  him  and  saw  that  he  was  out  of 
reach ;  then  he  glanced  over  his  shoulder  at  his  pursuers, 
who  were  getting  perilously  near.  "  It  seems  to  me,"  he 
said,  grinning  with  rage,  "  I  should  have  done  better  to 
hold  my  tongue." 

1  That  is  true,"  said  the  Cock  to  himself  as  he  smoothed 
his  ruffled  feathers.  "  And  I  would  have  been  better  advised 
to  keep  my  weather-eye  open." 


THE  SOLDIER,  THE  Fox,  AND  THE  BEAR 


THE  MOST  CUNNING 
ANIMAL 

NE  day  the  Fox  and  the  Bear  began  to  argue  as 
to  which  was  the  most  cunning  animal.  The 
Bear  said  that  he  thought  foxes  and  bears  took 
first  place. 

[  You  are  wrong,  my  friend,"  said  Reynard. 
'  We  are  clever,  you  and  I,  but  there  is  one 
animal  that  is  as  far  above  us  as  we  are  above  the  rest  of 
creation." 

"  Oh,  indeed,"  sneered  the  Bear,  "  and  what  is  the  name 
of  this  marvellous  creature  ?  ' 

'  He  is  called  the  man -animal,"  answered  Reynard, 
"  and  he  goes  on  two  legs  instead  of  four,  which  is  a  wonder 
ful  thing  in  itself.  Here  are  some  of  the  cunning  things  he 
can  do  ;  first,  he  can  swim  in  the  water  without  getting  wet ; 
when  he  is  cold  he  makes  yellow  flowers  grow  out  of  sticks 

19 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

to  warm  himself ;  and  he  can  strike  at  an  enemy  a  hundred 
yards  away  ! ' 

"  I  do  not  believe  you,"  answered  the  Bear.  "  This  is  a 
fairy-tale  you  are  telling  me.  If  such  a  creature  as  the  man- 
animal  really  exists,  it  is  very  strange  that  I  have  never  seen 
him  !  ' 

"  Strange,  indeed  !  '  grinned  the  Fox,  "  but  soon 
remedied.  Would  you  like  to  see  the  man-animal  ?  ' 

"  It  would  be  a  sight  for  sore  eyes,"  said  the  Bear. 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  Fox,  "  come  along  with  me."  And 
he  led  the  Bear  through  the  forest  until  they  came  to  a  road  lead 
ing  to  a  village.  "  Now,  then,"  said  he,  "  let  us  lie  down  in  the 
ditch  and  watch  the  road,  and  we  shall  see  what  we  shall  see." 

Presently  a  child  from  the  village  came  along. 

4  Look  !  Look  !  '  whispered  the  Bear.  ;*  An  animal 
walking  on  two  legs  !  Is  this  the  creature  we  seek  ?  ' 

'  No,"  answered  the  Fox,  "  but  one  of  these  days  it  will 
become  a  man-animal." 

Shortly  afterwards  there  came  along  an  old  woman,  all 
bent  and  wrinkled. 

"  Is  that  one  ?  "  asked  the  Bear. 

'  No,"  said  the  Fox  again,  "  but  once  upon  a  time  that 
was  the  mother  of  one  !  ' 

At  last  there  came  the  sound  of  brisk  footsteps  on  the 
road,  and  peeping  out  between  the  bushes  the  Bear  saw  a  tall 
soldier  in  a  red  coat  marching  towards  them.  He  had  a 
sword  by  his  side  and  a  musket  over  his  shoulder. 

1  This  must  surely  be  the  man-animal,"  said  the  Bear. 
"  Ugh !  what  an  ugly  creature !  I  don't  believe  he  is 
cunning  in  the  least !  '  But  the  Fox  made  no  answer,  for 
at  the  first  sight  of  the  soldier  he  had  fled  into  the  forest. 

'  Well,  well,"  muttered  the  Bear,  "  I  don't  see  anything 
to  be  afraid  of  here.     Let  us  have  a  talk  with  this  wonder  !  ' 
And  hoisting  himself  clumsily  out  of  the  ditch  he  lumbered 
along  the  road  to  meet  the  soldier. 

'  Now  then,  my  fine  fellow,"  he  growled,  "  I  have  heard 
some  wonderful  stories  about  you.    Tell  me  .  .  ." 
20 


THE   MOST   CUNNING  ANIMAL 

But  before  he  could  get  another  word  out  of  his  mouth 
the  soldier  drew  his  sword  and  struck  him  such  a  shrewd 
blow  that  he  cut  off  his  ear. 

"  Wow  !  '  cried  the  Bear,  "  what's  that  for  ?  Tell 
me  .  .  ."  But  then,  seeing  the  gleaming  steel  flash  once 
again,  he  turned  tail  and  ran  off  as  fast  as  he  could  go.  Just 
as  he  reached  the  edge  of  the  wood,  he  looked  backward  and 
saw  the  soldier  raise  his  gun  to  his  shoulder.  There  was  a 
flash,  a  loud  report,  and  the  Bear  felt  a  terrific  blow  against 
his  side.  Down  he  went  like  a  ninepin,  but  fortunately  for 
him  the  bullet  had  merely  glanced  off  his  hide,  and  he  was 
not  seriously  hurt.  Picking  himself  up,  he  lost  no  time  in 
gaining  the  shelter  of  the  trees,  and  presently  came  limping 
painfully  to  the  place  where  the  Fox  was  waiting  for  him. 

*  Well,  my  friend,"  said  Reynard,  "  did  you  see  the  man- 
animal  ?  And  what  did  you  think  of  him  ?  " 

'  You  were  right,"  answered  poor  Bruin  sadly.  "  He 
is  certainly  the  most  cunning  creature  in  the  world.  I  went 
up  to  speak  to  him  and  he  tore  a  rib  from  his  side  and  cut  off 
my  ear.  Then  I  ran  away,  but  before  I  could  reach  the  trees 
he  picked  up  a  stick  and  pointed  it  at  me.  Then  there  came 
thunder  and  lightning,  and  a  piece  of  the  earth  heaved  itself 
up  and  knocked  me  spinning  !  Beyond  all  doubt  the  man- 
animal  takes  the  palm  for  cunning,  but  I  never  want  to  see 
him  again,  for  I  shall  carry  the  marks  of  our  first  meeting  to 
my  dying  day." 

And  Reynard  grinned,  and  said  :  "  I  told  you  so  !  ' 


JJL 


SPONSKEN  AND  THE  GIANT 

HERE  was  once  a  lad  whose  face  was  so  badly 
pitted  by  the  smallpox  that  everybody  called  him 
Sponsken,  which  means  little  Sponge.  From  the 
very  day  of  his  birth  Sponsken  had  been  a  great 
cause  of  anxiety  to  his  parents,  and  as  he  grew 
older  he  became  more  trouble  still,  for  he  was  so 
full  of  whims  and  mischief  that  one  never  knew  where  one 
had  him.  He  would  not  learn  his  lessons,  nor  work  at  any 
serious  task  for  ten  minutes  on  end.  All  he  seemed  to  think 
of  was  cutting  capers  and  playing  practical  jokes  on  people. 
At  last,  in  despair,  his  parents  told  their  trouble  to  the  village 
sexton,  who  was  a  great  friend  of  the  family,  and  often  came 
to  smoke  his  pipe  with  Sponsken 's  father  in  the  chimney 
corner. 

"  Don't  worry,  my  friends,"  said  the  sexton.  "  I've  seen 
young  men  like  your  son  before,  and  they  are  quite  easy  to 
manage  if  one  only  goes  about  it  the  right  way.  Just  leave 
22 


SPONSKEN  AND   THE  GIANT 

him  to  me.    What  he  wants  is  a  good  fright,  and  I'll  make  it 
my  business  to  see  that  he  gets  it." 

So  far  so  good.  Sponsken 's  parents  were  only  too  glad 
to  fall  in  with  any  plan  which  seemed  likely  to  reform  their 
unruly  son,  so  the  sexton  went  off  to  make  his  arrangements. 
That  night  he  whitened  his  face  with  flour,  covered  himself 
in  a  white  sheet,  and  hid  behind  a  tree  on  a  road  along  which 
he  knew  Sponsken  would  have  to  pass. 

It  was  the  dark  of  the  moon,  and  the  place  the  sexton 
had  chosen  was  very  lonely.  For  a  long  time  he  waited  ; 
then,  hearing  Sponsken  coming  along  whistling  a  merry  tune, 
he  sprang  out  suddenly  from  behind  his  tree  and  waved  his 
arms  in  a  terrifying  manner. 

'  Hallo  !  "  said  Sponsken.    "  Who  are  you  ?  ' 

The  sexton  uttered  a  hollow  groan. 

"  What's  the  matter  ?  "  said  the  boy.  "  Are  you  ill  ? 
If  you  can't  speak,  get  out  of  my  way,  for  I  am  in  a  hurry." 

The  sexton  groaned  again,  louder  than  before,  and  waved 
his  arms  wildly. 

"  Come,  come,"  cried  Sponsken,  "  I  can't  stay  here  all 
night.  Tell  me  what  you  want  at  once  and  let  me  pass." 
Then,  as  the  ghostly  figure  made  no  answer,  he  struck  it  a 
blow  with  the  stout  ash-stick  which  he  carried,  and  the  poor 
sexton  fell,  stunned,  to  the  ground.  Sponsken  stayed  long 
enough  to  take  a  glimpse  of  the  ghost's  face  and  to  recognize 
the  features  of  the  sexton  beneath  the  flour ;  then  he  went  on 
his  way  homeward,  whistling  as  merrily  as  before. 

When  he  reached  home  his  parents  gazed  at  him  uneasily. 
They  were  very  anxious  about  the  success  of  their  friend's 
plan,  but  Sponsken  did  not  look  at  all  like  a  lad  who  had 
been  frightened — quite  the  contrary  in  fact,  for  he  drew  his 
chair  up  to  the  table  and  set  to  work  upon  his  supper  with 
an  excellent  appetite. 

"  A  funny  thing  happened  to  me  to-night,"  he  said 
carelessly  between  two  bites  of  an  onion.  '*  As  I  was  walking 
along  the  lonely  road  by  the  cemetery  a  white  figure  jumped 
out  at  me." 

23 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

:<  A  wh- white  figure  !  '  stammered  his  father.  "  How 
terrifying  !  And  what  did  you  do,  my  son  ?  ' 

*  Do  ?  "  said  Sponsken  cheerfully.      '  Why,  I  fetched  him 
a  crack  on  the  skull  with  my  staff.     He  went  down  like  a 
ninepin,  and  I  warrant  he  won't  try  to  frighten  travellers 
again  !  ' 

'  Base,  ungrateful  boy  !  "  cried  his  father,  rising  to  his 
feet.  *  It  was  my  dear  friend  Jan  the  sexton  you  struck. 
All  I  hope  is  that  you  have  not  killed  him." 

*  Well,  if  I  have,  it  is  his  own  fault,"  answered  Sponsken. 
'  He  should  not  play  tricks  on  me."     But  his  father  continued 

to  rage  and  grumble  so  long  that  Sponsken  got  tired  of  hearing 
him  at  last,  and  flung  off  to  bed  in  a  sulk. 

'  I'll  stand  no  more  of  this,"  he  said  to  himself.  *  Since 
my  own  people  do  not  appreciate  me,  I'll  go  out  and  seek 
my  own  fortune  in  the  world,  and  they  may  go  on  as  best 
they  can." 

The  next  morning,  therefore,  having  packed  a  loaf  of 
bread  and  a  piece  of  cheese  in  a  bag,  Sponsken  set  off  on  his 
travels,  telling  nobody  where  he  was  going,  and  taking  nothing 
else  with  him  except  a  sparrow  which  he  had  tamed  and 
kept  since  it  was  a  fledgling.  After  walking  for  a  long  time 
he  came  to  a  forest,  and  feeling  rather  tired  he  sat  down  on 
the  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree  to  rest. 

Now  in  this  forest  lived  a  giant  who  was  the  most  hideous 
creature  one  could  possibly  imagine.  From  his  forehead 
jutted  a  pair  of  horns ;  his  features  were  more  like  those  of  a 
beast  than  a  man,  and  his  finger-nails  grew  long  and  curved 
like  the  claws  of  a  wild  animal.  The  giant  considered  himself 
lord  of  the  whole  wood,  and  was  very  jealous  lest  anybody 
should  enter  his  domain.  When,  therefore,  he  saw  Sponsken 
he  was  very  angry,  and  having  pulled  up  a  young  tree  by  the 
roots  to  serve  him  as  a  club,  he  approached  the  young  man, 
who  was  sitting  with  his  eyes  closed,  and  struck  him  a  heavy 
blow  on  the  shoulder. 

In  spite  of  appearances,  Sponsken  was  not  asleep  ;  he 
was  far  too  wary  a  person  to  be  caught  napping  under  such 


SPONSKEN,  THE  GIANT,  AND  THE  PRINCESS 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

conditions.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  he  had  seen  the  giant  before 
the  giant  saw  him,  and  he  knew  that  his  only  chance  of 
escape  was  to  remain  unperturbed  and  calm.  When,  there 
fore,  the  giant  struck  him  on  the  shoulder,  he  opened  his 
eyes  sleepily,  rubbed  the  place,  and  said  with  a  yawn:  "A 
pest  on  these  flies  !  They  bite  so  hard  that  a  fellow  can't 
sleep  for  them." 

'  You  shall  sleep  soundly  enough  in  a  minute  !  "  muttered 
the   giant,   who   was   enraged   at    Sponsken's   nonchalance. 
*  See  how  you  like  this  !  '     And  he  gave  the  lad  a  blow  on 
the  other  shoulder,  harder  than  before. 

!  There  they  are  again  !  "  cried  Sponsken,  rubbing  the 
place.  '  My  word  !  They  bite  even  harder  on  this  side 
than  on  the  other.  It  is  time  I  was  going  !  '  And  he  rose 
from  his  seat,  starting  back  with  surprise  as  he  affected  to 
see  the  giant  for  the  first  time. 

"  So  it's  you,  is  it  ? "  he  cried.  "  What  do  you  mean  by 
tickling  me  when  I  am  trying  to  sleep  ?  If  I  were  not  so 
kind-hearted  I'd  break  your  neck  for  you  !  ' 

'  Have  a  care  what  you  say,"  cried  the  giant.  '  Do  you 
know  that  I  have  the  strength  of  twenty  men  and  could 
crush  you  between  my  hands  like  a  kitten  ?  ' 

"  Pooh  !  '  said  Sponsken.  "  Words  are  windy  things. 
I  have  no  doubt  you  could  kill  a  whole  regiment  with  your 
breath.  But  words  won't  go  with  me,  my  man  ;  you  must 
give  me  some  proof  of  your  prowess." 

'  Proof  !  "  roared  the  giant.  "See  here  !  I  can  throw  a 
stone  so  high  into  the  air  that  it  will  not  come  down  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour."  And  he  was  as  good  as  his  word, 
for,  picking  up  a  large  stone,  he  flung  it  with  all  his  strength, 
and  it  was  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  before  it  fell  again 
at  their  feet. 

'  Can  you  match  that  ?  "  asked  the  giant  with  a  grin. 

"  Easily,"  said  Sponsken.  "  I  will  throw  a  stone  so  high 
that  it  will  not  come  down  at  all  !  '  Bending  to  the  ground 
he  picked  up  a  pebble  and  showed  it  to  the  giant,  but  very 
cleverly  he  managed  at  the  last  moment  to  exchange  it  for 
26 


SPONSKEN   AND   THE   GIANT 

the  sparrow  which  he  carried  in  his  pocket,  and  this  he  was 
able  to  do  because  the  giant  was  rather  short-sighted,  and, 
if  truth  be  told,  slow-witted  as  well. 


HE  TOSSED   THE   BlRD   INTO   THE    AlR 

"  One,  two,  three  ! "  cried  Sponsken,  and  he  tossed  the 
bird  into  the  air,  and  of  course  it  flew  up  and  up  and  never 
came  down  at  all. 

"  Well,  well,"  said  the  giant,  "  I  never  saw  such  a  thing 
as  that  in  my  life  before.  You  are  certainly  a  wonderful 
stone-thrower,  little  man.  But  can  you  do  this  ?  '  And 

27 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

picking  up  another  stone,  he  squeezed  it  so  hard  between 
his  immense  fists  that  he  crushed  it  into  a  fine  powder. 

'  Yes,  that  is  hard  to  do,"  said  Sponsken,  "  but  I  think  I 
can  go  one  better.  Any  oaf,  if  he  be  strong  enough,  can 
crush  a  stone  to  powder,  but  it  requires  skill  as  well  as  strength 

to  wring  the  juice  out 
of  one.  Watch  me  ! ' 
So  saying,  Sponsken 
adroitly  slipped  out  his 
piece  of  cheese,  and 
squeezed  it  until  the 
whey  dripped  from  be 
tween  his  fingers. 

"  Marvellous  !  "  said 
the  giant.  "  I  confess 
myself  beaten.  Let  us 
go  into  partnership,  for 
there  cannot  be  two 
others  like  us  in  the 
whole  world." 

"Willingly,"  an 
swered  Sponsken,  "  but 
what  are  we  to  do  ?  ' 
•  "  Why,  as  for  that,"  said  the  giant,  "  the  King  of  this 
country  has  promised  his  daughter's  hand  in  marriage,  and 
a  great  treasure  besides,  to  anybody  who  can  destroy  three 
ferocious  beasts  which  are  devastating  his  realm.  It  seems 
to  me  that  this  is  a  task  we  can  quite  well  do  together.  You, 
with  your  quickness  and  skill,  can  trap  the  beasts,  and  I  can 
kill  them  with  my  club.  That  done,  we  will  divide  the 
spoils." 

So  it  was  agreed,  and  without  wasting  a  moment  the 
two  took  the  wood  together.  Before  very  long  they  reached 
the  King's  palace,  and  sent  up  a  message  by  one  of  the 
lords  in  waiting  that  they  would  like  to  see  His  Majesty. 

"  And  do  you  mean  to  tell  me,"  asked  the  King,  when 
he  had  heard  the  giant's  tale,  "  that  you  can  overcome  the 
28 


"  THE  THREE  ANIMALS  ARE  A  BEAR,  A  UNICORN, 
AND  A  WILD  BOAR  " 


SPONSKEN  AND  THE   GIANT 

three  fierce  animals  by  the  help  of  this  ugly  little  pock-marked 
fellow." 

"  Hush  !  Not  so  loud,  for  the  love  of  heaven  !  "  whis 
pered  the  giant.  "  My 
friend  is  very  touchy 
about  his  appearance, 
and  if  he  hears  you 
making  such  slighting 
remarks  it  is  very  likely 
he  will  bring  the  whole 
of  your  palace  down 
about  your  head  !  ' 

"  You  don't  say  so !" 
whispered  the  King  in 
reply,  glancing  fearfully 
at  the  terrible  little 
man.  *  Well,  you  are 
at  liberty  to  try  your 
luck.  The  three  ani 
mals  are  a  bear,  a  uni 
corn,  and  a  wild  boar, 
and  at  present  they  are 
hidden  in  the  wood 
close  by.  There  you 
will  find  them,  but  take 
care  of  yourselves,  for 
they  have  already  killed 
scores  of  my  men." 

"  Don't  be  afraid, 
answered  the  giant,  "  for  us  this  is  as  easy  as  playing  a 
game." 

After  having  partaken  of  a  good  meal  the  two  made  their 
way  towards  the  wood  in  which  the  animals  were  hidden. 

'  We  must  make  a  plan,"  said  Sponsken.  "  Listen  to 
what  I  propose.  You  go  into  the  middle  of  the  wood  while 
I  remain  here  on  the  outskirts  ;  then  when  you  drive  the 
beasts  out  I  will  see  that  they  do  not  escape." 

29 


> '       THE  BEAR  FOLLOWED  HIM  INTO  THE  HOLLOW  TRUNK ' 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

So  it  was  arranged.  The  giant  went  forward  into  the 
wood,  while  Sponsken  remained  outside,  waiting  to  see  what 
would  happen.  He  had  not  to  wait  long,  for  presently  there 
was  a  crashing  and  a  tearing  of  undergrowth  and  a  great 
bear  came  lumbering  towards  him.  Sponsken  did  not  like 
the  look  of  the  creature  at  all,  and  decided  to  put  as  much 
space  between  them  as  possible.  Looking  here  and  there 
for  a  refuge,  he  spied  a  big  oak-tree,  and  quickly  climbed  its 
trunk  and  ensconced  himself  among  the  branches.  Unfor 
tunately  the  bear  had  already  seen  him,  and,  raising  himself 
on  his  hind  legs  with  a  dreadful  roar,  he  rushed  to  the  tree 
and  began  to  climb.  In  another  moment  Sponsken  would 
have  been  lost,  but  by  good  chance  the  tree  happened  to 
be  hollow,  so  without  hesitation  the  lad  let  himself  down 
into  the  trunk,  and  finding  at  the  bottom  a  small  hole  which 
led  to  the  open  air,  he  was  just  able  to  wriggle  through  it 
and  escape.  The  bear  followed  him  into  the  hollow  trunk, 
but  the  hole  at  the  bottom  was  too  small  for  him  to  get  out 
by,  and  as  there  was  hardly  room  to  move  inside  the  trunk, 
the  angry  creature  had  to  stay  where  he  was,  waking  all  the 
echoes  in  the  forest  with  his  growling. 

The  next  minute  the  giant  came  running  out  of  the  forest. 
"  Have  you  seen  the  bear  ? '  he  cried.  "  I  drove  him 
towards  you  ! ' 

*  Don't  worry,"  answered  Sponsken  coolly  ;  '  I've  shut 
him  up  in  the  tree  there  to  keep  him  safe." 

The  giant  rushed  to  the  tree  and  dispatched  the  bear  with 
one  blow  of  his  great  club.  Then,  pulling  out  the  carcass,  he 
shouldered  it,  and  the  two  went  back  to  the  palace,  congratu 
lating  each  other  on  the  excellent  beginning  of  their  enterprise. 

There  remained  now  the  unicorn  and  the  wild  boar. 
Next  day  Sponsken  and  the  giant  went  to  the  forest  again, 
and  since  their  first  plan  had  been  so  successful,  it  was 
arranged  that  they  should  follow  exactly  the  same  course. 
The  giant  went  into  the  depths  of  the  wood  to  find  the 
unicorn  and  drive  him  out,  while  Sponsken  remained  on  the 
borders  to  capture  the  animal  when  he  came. 
30 


SPONSKEN  AND   THE   GIANT 

This  time  the  period  of  waiting  was  longer,  and  Sponsken, 
leaning  against  the  oak-tree,  had  almost  fallen  asleep  when 
a  clattering  of  hoofs  awakened  him,  and  he  sprang  aside  just 


WITH  A  MIGHTY  CRASH  HE  RAN  FULL  TILT  INTO  THE  TREE 

in  time  to  escape  the  unicorn,  who,  breathing  fire  from  his 
nostrils,  charged  down  upon  him.  So  great  was  the  impetus 
of  the  beast's  charge  that  he  could  not  stop  himself,  and 
with  a  mighty  crash  he  ran  full  tilt  into  the  tree,  driving  his 
horn  so  far  into  the  trunk  that,  although  he  pulled  and 
struggled,  he  could  not  wrench  himself  free. 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

When  the  giant  came  up,  Sponsken  showed  him  the 
animal,  which  was  quickly  killed  with  a  single  blow  of  the 
club. 

"  Didn't  I  manage  that  affair  well  ? '  asked  Sponsken 
as  they  went  back  to  the  palace. 

"  You  are  a  wonder  !  "  answered  the  giant,  and  he  really 
believed  what  he  said. 

Now  only  the  wild  boar  remained,  and  on  the  following 
day  the  two  went  to  the  forest  to  capture  him  also.  Once 
again  the  same  plan  was  followed,  but  this  time  Sponsken 
kept  his  eyes  wide  open,  and  when  the  ferocious  beast  broke 
cover  he  ran  as  fast  as  he  could  in  the  direction  of  the  royal 
chapel.  The  wild  boar  followed  him,  and  a  fearsome  creature 
he  looked,  I  assure  you,  with  his  wicked  little  eyes  and  his 
great  curved  tusks  and  the  hair  on  his  back  bristling  like  the 
quills  of  a  porcupine. 

Through  the  open  door  of  the  chapel  Sponsken  ran,  and 
the  boar,  snorting  with  fury,  followed  him.  Then  began  a 
fine  chase,  round  and  round  the  aisles,  over  the  pews,  and 
in  and  out  of  the  vestries.  At  last  Sponsken  seized  a  chair, 
and  dashing  it  against  a  window  broke  several  panes,  and 
so  made  good  his  escape.  While  the  boar  was  still  standing 
stupidly  staring  at  the  hole  through  which  he  had  gone  out, 
Sponsken  ran  round  to  the  door,  which  he  closed  and  locked. 
Then,  having  broken  one  or  two  more  panes  of  glass,  he 
sat  down  quietly  by  the  chapel  wall  and  began  to  pare  his 
nails. 

A  short  time  afterwards  the  giant  came  rushing  up. 

"  Where  is  the  boar  ?    Have  you  let  him  get  away  ?  ' 
he  cried. 

"  Don't  get  so  excited,"  answered  Sponsken.  "  The  boar 
is  safe  enough.  He's  in  the  chapel  there.  I  had  no  other 
place  to  put  him,  so  I  flung  him  through  the  window  !  ' 

"  What  a  wonderful  little  man  you  are  !  "  said  the  giant 
gleefully,  and  he  ran  off  to  kill  the  boar  with  one  blow  of  his 
club.  This  done,  he  hoisted  the  carcass  on  to  his  shoulders 
and  took  the  road  to  the  palace.  Half-way  there  the  weight 
32 


SPONSKEN  AND   THE   GIANT 

of  the  boar  began  to  tell,  for  it  was  a  massive  beast,  and  the 
giant  was  forced  to  stay  and  rest. 

"It  is  all  very  well,"  said  he,  mopping  his  streaming 
brow,  "  but  I  think  you  ought  to  take  a  turn  with  me  in 
carrying  this  carcass." 

"  Not  I,"  answered  Sponsken.  '  We  made  an  agreement 
that  my  work  was  done  when  I  captured  the  beast,  and  I 
intend  to  keep  to  it." 


SPONSKEN 


THE  PRINCESS 


THE  GIANT 


So  the  giant  had  to  struggle  on  as  best  he  could  for  the 
rest  of  the  way,  grumbling  at  every  step,  while  Sponsken 
followed,  laughing  up  his  sleeve,  and  exceedingly  thankful 
that  he  had  escaped  the  task. 

When  they  reached  the  palace  the  two  presented  them 
selves  before  the  King  and  claimed  the  promised  reward. 
But  now  a  difficulty  arose.  It  was  quite  easy  to  divide  the 
treasure,  but  which  of  them  was  to  have  the  Princess  ? 

"  I  think  it  should  be  I,"  said  the  giant,  "  for  I  killed  the 
three  animals." 

"  Not  at  all,"  said  Sponsken.  "  The  Princess  should  be 
given  to  me,  for  I  captured  the  beasts." 

"  A  lot  of  good  your  capturing  them  would  have  been  if 
I  had  not  killed  them  !  "  said  the  giant. 

'  How  could  you  have  killed  them  if  I  had  not  caught 
them  first  ?  "  answered  Sponsken.  And  so  the  two  began 
to  quarrel,  and  neither  would  give  way,  and  high  words 
passed  between  them.  Truth  to  tell,  the  King  was  not  at 
all  sorry  that  the  dispute  had  arisen,  for  he  did  not  very 

c  33 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

much  relish  the  idea  of  his  daughter  marrying  either  the 
bestial  giant  or  the  pock-marked,  ugly  little  fellow  who  was 
his  companion. 

'  There  is  only  one  way  out  of  the  difficulty,"  said  the 
King  at  last.  *  We  must  let  fate  decide.  Listen  to  the  plan 
I  propose.  You  shall  both  of  you  sleep  in  the  Princess's 
chamber  to-night — the  giant  in  a  bed  on  one  side  of  her 
couch,  and  Sponsken  on  the  other.  I  also  will  remain  in 
her  chamber  and  watch  her  carefully.  If  she  spends  most 
of  the  night  with  her  face  turned  towards  Sponsken,  it  shall 
be  a  sign  that  she  is  to  marry  him  ;  if,  on  the  other  hand, 
she  favours  the  giant,  he  shall  be  her  husband  ;  but  if  she 
sleeps  all  night  with  her  face  towards  neither  of  you,  then 
you  must  both  give  her  up,  and  be  satisfied  with  the  treasure." 

So  it  was  agreed,  and  that  night  the  trial  took  place. 
Sponsken,  however,  did  not  by  any  means  intend  that  blind 
chance  should  settle  so  important  a  matter,  and  he  spent 
the  intervening  time  in  making  certain  preparations.  First 
of  all  he  went  to  the  palace  gardens,  from  which  he  gathered 
certain  herbs  having  an  aromatic  and  beautiful  perfume ;  these 
he  placed  in  a  bag  and  hid  under  his  clothes.  Then  from 
the  woods  he  gathered  all  the  herbs  he  could  find  which 
had  a  disagreeable  smell,  such  as  garlic  and  stinkwort  and 
poisonous  fungus  ;  these  also  he  placed  in  a  bag,  and  seized 
an  early  opportunity,  when  they  came  to  the  Princess's 
chamber,  of  hiding  the  bag  under  the  pillow  on  which  the 
giant's  head  was  to  rest. 

The  Princess  well  knew  the  fateful  issue  which  was  to 
be  decided  in  the  night,  and  as  she  had  firmly  made  up  her 
mind  not  to  marry  either  the  one  or  the  other  of  her  suitors, 
she  determined  to  remain  awake  all  night  and  to  take  care  to 
keep  her  face  turned  towards  the  ceiling.  For  a  time  she 
managed  to  do  so,  but  before  long  drowsiness  overcame  her, 
and  she  slept.  Presently  she  turned  over  on  her  left  side 
and  lay  with  her  face  turned  towards  the  giant,  who  began 
to  chuckle  to  himself. 

"  Wait  a  minute,"  thought  Sponsken.     :'  I  don't  think  the 

34 


SPONSKEN  AND  THE   GIANT 

Princess  will  keep  that  position  long  !  '  And  sure  enough, 
the  horrible  stench  of  the  herbs  in  the  bag  beneath  the  giant's 
pillow  penetrated  even  to  her  dreams,  and  the  Princess  turned 
over  hurriedly  on  the  other  side.  What  a  change  was  there  ! 
Instead  of  a  disgusting  smell  which  made  her  dream  of  gloomy 
caverns  and  noisome  things,  she  found  now  a  delicious 
perfume  that  brought  pictures  of  sunlit  gardens  all  glowing 
with  flowers  and  bright-winged  butterflies  flitting  over  them. 
The  Princess  gave  a  little  sigh  of  content,  and  for  the  rest  of 
the  night  she  remained  with  her  face  turned  towards  Sponsken, 
so  that  the  King  had  no  choice  but  to  declare  the  little  man 
the  winner. 

The  Princess,  however,  refused  to  abide  by  the  judgment. 
*  I  will  not  marry  that  vulgar  fellow,"  she  cried.  "  I  will 
die  first !  Oh,  father,  if  you  love  me,  think  of  a  means 
of  escape  !  ' 

"  Do  not  be  afraid,  my  child/'  answered  the  King.  "  I 
will  arrange  something."  And  the  next  day  he  took  the 
giant  aside  and  proposed  to  him  that  he  should  rid  him  of 
Sponsken,  promising  a  rich  reward  for  the  service.  The 
giant's  greed  was  aroused,  and  being  very  jealous  of  his 
companion's  success,  he  was  the  more  ready  to  fall  in  with 
the  King's  suggestion. 

Fortunately  for  himself,  Sponsken's  quick  wits  made  him 
suspicious.  He  guessed  that  some  treachery  was  afoot,  and 
in  order  to  be  prepared  for  emergencies  he  took  a  heavy 
hammer  with  him  when  he  retired  to  bed  at  night.  His 
suspicions  were  justified,  for  towards  midnight  the  door  of 
his  room  opened  and  the  giant  entered  on  tiptoe,  carrying  a 
heavy  axe  with  which  he  intended  to  dispatch  our  friend. 
No  sooner  was  his  foot  inside  the  door,  however,  than 
Sponsken  jumped  out  of  bed  and  sprang  at  him,  looking  so 
fierce  that  the  giant,  who  was  a  coward  at  heart,  and  had 
besides  a  healthy  respect  for  his  companion's  powers,  turned 
and  fled  in  dismay.  Then  Sponsken  lifted  his  heavy  hammer 
and  struck  three  resounding  blows  upon  the  floor.  The 
noise  awoke  everybody  in  the  palace,  and  servants,  guards, 

35 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

and  lords  in  waiting  came  flocking  to  the  room  to  discover 
the  cause.  The  King  came  last  of  all,  a  little  anxious  about 
the  success  of  his  fine  plot,  and  when  he  found  Sponsken 
sitting  up  in  bed,  quite  unharmed,  his  face  fell. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  he  stammered. 

"  Matter  ?  "  answered  Sponsken.  "  Nothing  very  much  ! 
Some  person  wandered  into  my  room,  so  I  just  gave  three 
taps  with  my  fingers  on  the  wall.  It  is  lucky  for  you  all 
that  I  did  not  strike  the  blows  with  my  fist,  for  had  I  done 
so  I  am  afraid  there  would  have  been  nothing  left  of  your 
palace  but  a  heap  of  dust !  * 

At  these  words  everybody  turned  pale,  and  the  King 
made  haste  to  protest  his  undying  friendship  for  his  terrible 
guest. 

As  for  the  giant,  he  was  in  such  fear  of  encountering 
Sponsken 's  resentment  that  he  fled,  and  nobody  ever  saw 
him  again. 

Now  the  poor  King  did  not  know  what  to  do,  for  his 
daughter  still  persisted  in  her  refusal  to  marry  Sponsken, 
and  he  was  torn  two  ways  by  love  and  fear.  Just  at  that 
time,  however,  a  neighbouring  monarch,  who  was  an  old 
enemy  of  the  King's,  declared  war  upon  him,  and  this  offered 
another  opportunity  for  delay.  Calling  Sponsken  before  him, 
the  King  proposed  that  he  should  prove  his  valour  by  chal 
lenging  the  enemy  king  to  mortal  combat.  Sponsken  agreed  ; 
but  his  fame  had  already  been  noised  abroad,  and  the  challenge 
was  refused. 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  King,  who  was  at  the  end  of  his 
resources.  "  As  my  prospective  son-in-law  you  ought  to 
lead  my  armies  into  battle.  I  will  place  my  own  charger  at 
your  disposal,  and  I  look  to  you  to  save  my  country  from 
defeat." 

Here  was  a  pretty  kettle  of  fish  !  Sponsken  had  never 
ridden  a  horse  in  his  life,  and  he  had  not  the  slightest  know 
ledge  of  warfare.  To  make  matters  worse,  the  steed  in 
question  was  a  notoriously  vicious  brute  who  would  allow 
nobody  but  his  own  master  to  mount  him.  Already  he  had 
36 


ALL  THE  ATTENDANTS  FLED  AT  ONCE 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

accounted  for  several  grooms  and  stablemen,  whom  he  had 
kicked  to  death. 

Sponsken  commanded  that  the  steed  should  be  led  to  the 
borders  of  the  forest  and  tied  by  the  bridle  to  a  tree.  He 
had  not  the  slightest  intention  of  trying  to  mount  the  brute, 
and  his  plan  was  to  wait  until  the  attendants  had  gone  away 
and  then  to  slip  off  unobserved.  Fate,  however,  was  too 
much  for  him,  for  hardly  was  the  horse  safely  tied  up  than 
couriers  came  spurring  along  the  road  to  say  that  the  enemy 
king  was  advancing  at  the  head  of  his  army,  and  was  at  that 
very  moment  less  than  half  a  mile  away. 

All  the  attendants  fled  at  once,  and  Sponsken  himself  was 
so  overcome  by  terror  that,  without  thinking  what  he  was 
doing,  he  jumped  upon  the  back  of  the  steed,  and,  forgetting 
that  it  was  tied  to  the  tree,  dug  his  sharp  spurs  into  its  side. 
The  horse  plunged  and  reared,  champing  at  the  bit  and 
doing  its  best  to  dislodge  Sponsken  from  the  saddle,  but  the 
lad  clung  on  for  dear  life.  At  last,  finding  all  its  efforts 
unavailing,  the  horse  dragged  the  tree  up  by  the  roots  and 
charged  forward  in  a  straight  line  towards  the  advancing 
enemy.  Almost  dislodged  from  his  seat  by  the  sudden  jerk, 
Sponsken  stretched  out  his  hand  and  grasped  the  branches 
of  the  tree,  which  swung  in  a  terrifying  manner  at  his  side, 
promising  every  moment  to  hurl  him  from  the  saddle,  and 
the  result  was  that  to  the  enemy  army  it  appeared  as  though 
he  were  charging  down  upon  them  at  full  speed,  bearing  a 
tree  as  a  club.  Filled  with  dismay  at  the  terrifying  sight, 
the  soldiers  of  the  enemy  king  fled  in  all  directions  and  hid 
themselves  in  the  woods  and  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocks. 
Sponsken  rode  on  for  the  simple  reason  that  he  could  do 
nothing  else,  right  into  the  enemy's  camp,  where  the  steed 
came  to  a  standstill  and  our  hero  was  able  to  jump  down 
from  its  back.  Entering  the  king's  tent,  he  helped  himself 
to  all  the  documents  and  articles  of  value  he  could  find  ; 
then,  having  cut  the  tree  from  the  bridle,  he  remounted  the 
horse,  which  was  now  quite  tame  and  docile,  and  rode  back 
to  the  palace. 
38 


SPONSKEN  AND   THE   GIANT 

When  the  King  heard  that  the  enemy  was  routed  he  was 
overjoyed,  and  he  recognized  that  a  man  who  could  perform 
such  a  feat  single-handed  was  not  to  be  treated  lightly.  His 
daughter,  however,  was  still  firm  in  her  refusal  to  marry 
Sponsken,  and  so  the  King  made  him  an  offer  of  half  his 
kingdom  if  he  would  release  him  from  his  promise  and  allow 
the  Princess  to  go  free.  Sponsken  accepted  his  terms  and 
married  a  girl  who,  although  she  was  not  a  princess,  was 
nevertheless  very  pretty.  Their  wedding  was  celebrated  with 
great  pomp  and  they  lived  together  very  happily  for  the  rest 
of  their  lives. 


THE  CAT  AND  THE  SPARROW 


WHY  CATS  ALWAYS  WASH 
AFTER  EATING 

LONG  time  ago  a  cat  caught  a  sparrow,  and 
licked  his  lips  in  anticipation  of  the  delight  he 
would  feel  in  devouring  it.  After  playing  with 
it  for  a  time,  as  cats  will,  he  was  going  to  eat  it, 
when  the  sparrow  spoke  to  him. 

4  The  Emperor's  cat,"  said  the  sparrow,  "and 
all  his  family,  never  begin  a  meal  without  washing  themselves 
first.  Everybody  knows  that  such  is  the  custom  in  polite  society." 

*  Really,"   answered  the  cat,  "  well,   I  will  do  as  the 
Emperor's  cat  does  !  "     And  he  let  go  the  sparrow  and  began 
to  wash  his  face.     Feeling  itself  free,  the  sparrow  flew  away, 
and  alighted  safely  on  the  branch  of  a  tree  well  out  of  reach. 

*  It  serves  me  right,"  muttered  the  cat,  "  for  being  so 
easily  taken  in." 

And  ever  since  that  time  cats  have  always  washed  them 
selves  after  their  meals. 
40 


"I'VE   JUST   BEEN    TURNED   OUT    OF    HOUSE" 


THE  CHORISTERS  OF  ST. 
GUDULE 

HE  miller  of  Sandhills  had  a  donkey  which  had 
served  him  well  in  its  time,  but  was  now  too 
old  to  work.  The  miller  was  a  careful  man, 
who  did  not  believe  in  feeding  useless  mouths, 
so  he  decided  that  he  would  sell  the  donkey 
for  the  price  of  its  skin.  "  I  do  not  suppose 
I  shall  get  very  much  for  the  wretched  beast,"  he  said, 
regarding  poor  Greyskin  as  he  stood  with  hanging  head  in 
his  stall,  "  but  I  shall  save  the  cost  of  his  corn  anyhow, 
and  that  is  always  something." 

Left  alone,  Greyskin  reflected  sadly  upon  the  fate  in 
store  for  him.  "  Such  is  the  way  of  the  world,"  he  thought. 
"  When  I  was  young  and  hearty  nothing  was  too  good  for  me  ; 
now  I'm  old  and  useless  I  am  to  be  cast  out.  But  am  I  so 
useless  after  all  ?  True,  I  can  no  longer  pull  a  cart  to  market, 
but  I  have  a  magnificent  voice  still.  There  must  be  a  place 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

somewhere  for  one  who  can  sing  as  beautifully  as  I.  I'll 
go  to  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Gudule,  in  Brussels,  and  offer 
myself  as  a  chorister." 

Greyskin  lost  no  time  in  acting  upon  his  resolve,  but  left 
his  stable  immediately  and  set  out  on  the  road  to  Brussels, 
Passing  the  Burgomaster's  house  he  saw  an  old  hound 
sitting  disconsolately  on  the  doorstep. 

'  Hallo,  friend  !  "  said  he.  *  What  is  the  matter  with  you  ? 
You  seem  very  sad  this  morning." 

"  The  matter  is  that  I  am  tired  of  life,"  answered  the  dog. 

*  I'm  getting  old  and  stiff  and  I  can  no  longer  hunt  hares 

for  my  master  as  I  used  to  do.    The  result  is  that  I  am 

reckoned  good  for  nothing  and  they  grudge  me  every  morsel 

of  food  I  put  into  my  mouth." 

*  Come,   come,   cheer   up,   my   friend,"   said   Greyskin. 
'  Never  say  die  !     I  am  in  a  similar  case  to  yourself  and  have 

just  left  my  master  for  precisely  the  same  reason.  My  plan 
is  to  go  to  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Gudule  and  offer  my  services 
to  the  master  of  the  choir.  If  I  may  say  so  without  conceit, 
I  have  a  lovely  voice — one  must  make  the  most  of  one's  gifts, 
you  know — and  I  ought  to  be  able  to  command  good  pay." 

"  Well,  if  it  comes  to  that,"  said  the  dog,  "  I  can  sing  too. 
I  sang  a  lovely  song  to  the  moon  last  night,  and  if  you'll 
believe  me,  all  the  people  in  our  street  opened  their  windows 
to  listen.  I  sang  for  quite  an  hour,  and  I'd  have  gone  on 
longer  if  some  malicious  person,  who  was  no  doubt  jealous, 
had  not  thrown  an  old  boot  at  my  head." 

*  Excellent,"  said  Greyskin.    ic  Come  along  with  me.   You 
shall  sing  tenor  and  I'll  sing  bass.   We'll  make  a  famous  pair." 

So  the  dog  joined  company  with  Greyskin,  and  they 
went  on  together  towards  Brussels.  A  little  farther  down 
the  road  they  saw  a  cat  sitting  on  the  rubbish-heap  outside 
a  miserable  hovel.  The  creature  was  half  blind  with  age, 
and  had  a  face  as  long  as  a  fiddle. 

"  Why,  what  is  the  matter  with  you  ?  "  asked  Greyskin, 
who  had  a  tender  heart. 

"  Matter  enough,"  said  the  cat.  "  I've  just  been  turned 
42 


THE  CHORISTERS  OF  ST.   GUDULE 

out  of  house  and  home,  and  all  because  I  took  a  little  piece 
of  bacon  from  the  larder.  Upon  my  honour,  it  was  no  bigger 
than  a  baby's  fist,  but  they  made  as  much  fuss  as  though  it 


"THEY  LAUGH  AT  ME" 

had  been  a  whole  gammon.  I  was  beaten,  and  kicked  out 
to  starve.  If  I  could  catch  mice  as  I  used  to  do,  it  would  not 
matter  so  much,  but  the  mice  are  too  quick  for  me  nowadays. 
They  laugh  at  me.  Nothing  remains  for  me  but  to  die,  and 
I  hope  it  may  be  soon." 

43 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

'  Nonsense,"  said  Greyskin.  "  You  shall  live  to  laugh 
at  all  your  troubles.  Come  along  with  us  and  sing  in  the 
choir  at  St.  Gudule.  Your  voice  is  a  little  too  thin  for  my 
own  taste,  but  you'll  make  a  very  good  soprano  in  a  trio. 
What  do  you  say  ?  ' 

1  You  give  me  new  hopes,"  answered  the  cat.  "  Of  course 
I'll  join  you,"  and  so  the  three  went  on  together. 

Towards  nightfall  they  arrived  at  a  farmyard,  on  the  gate 
of  which  a  cock  was  crowing  lustily. 

'  Hallo  !  "  said  Greyskin.    "  What's  all  this  about  ?  " 

*  I  am  singing  my  last  song  on  earth,"  said  the  cock. 
!'  An  hour  ago  I  sang  a  song,  although  it  is  not  my  usual 
custom  to  crow  in  the  afternoon,  and  as  I  ended  I  heard  the 
farmer's  wife  say  :  '  Hearken  to  Chanticleer.  He's  crowing 
for  fine  weather  to-morrow.  I  wonder  if  he'd  crow  so  loudly 
if  he  knew  that  we  had  guests  coming,  and  that  he  was  going 
into  the  pot  to  make  their  soup  !  '  She  has  a  horrid  laugh, 
that  woman.  I  have  always  hated  her  !  ' 

:<  And  do  you  mean  to  tell  me,"  said  Greyskin,  "  that  you 
are  going  to  stay  here  quite  contentedly  till  they  come  to 
wring  your  neck  ?  ' 

1  What  else  can  I  do  ?  "  asked  Chanticleer. 

;<  Join  us,  and  turn  your  talents  to  account.  We  are  all 
beautiful  singers  and  we  are  going  to  Brussels  to  offer  our 
selves  as  choristers  at  St.  Gudule.  We  were  a  trio  before. 
With  you  we  shall  be  a  quartet,  and  that's  one  better  !  ' 

Chanticleer  was  only  too  glad  to  find  a  means  of  escape, 
so  he  willingly  joined  the  party,  and  they  once  more  took 
the  road.  A  little  while  afterwards  they  came  to  a  thick 
wood,  which  was  the  haunt  of  a  notorious  band  of  robbers. 
There  they  decided  to  rest  for  the  night,  so  Greyskin  and  the 
dog  lay  down  beneath  the  shelter  of  a  large  beech-tree,  while 
the  cat  climbed  on  to  one  of  the  branches,  and  Chanticleer 
perched  himself  at  the  very  top.  From  this  lofty  post 
he  could  see  over  the  whole  wood,  and  it  was  not  long 
before  he  espied  a  light  twinkling  among  the  trees  not  far 
away. 

44 


WHAT  ELSE  CAN  I  DO  ? "  ASKED  CHANTICLEER 


"HUSH!"  SAID  CHANTICLEER 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

'  There  must  be  a  house  of  some  sort  over  there/'  he  said 
to  his  companions.  c  Shall  we  go  and  see  ?  We  may  find 
something  to  eat." 

'  Or  some  straw  to  lie  upon,  at  any  rate,"  said  Grey  skin. 
1  This  damp  ground  gives  me  rheumatics  in  my  old  bones." 

*  I  was  just  thinking  the  same  thing,"  said  the  dog. 
"  Let  us  go." 

So  the  four  choristers,  led  by  the  cock,  walked  in  the 
direction  from  which  the  light  came,  and  before  long  they 
found  themselves  in  front  of  a  little  house,  the  windows  of 
which  were  brilliantly  lighted.  In  order  to  reach  to  the 
windows  the  animals  made  a  tower  of  their  bodies,  with 
Greyskin  at  the  bottom  and  Chanticleer  at  the  top. 

Now  this  house  was  the  abode  of  a  band  of  robbers,  who, 
at  that  very  moment,  were  seated  before  a  table  laden  with 
all  kinds  of  food.  There  they  sat  and  feasted,  and  poor 
Chanticleer's  mouth  watered  as  he  watched  them. 

1  Is  there  anybody  inside  ?  '  asked  the  dog,  who  was 
impatient. 

"  Hush !  "  said  Chanticleer.  "  Men !  They're  eating  their 
dinner  !  ' 

*  I  wish  I  was,"  said  the  dog.     '  What  are  they  eating  ?  ' 
'  All  sorts  of  things — sausage,  and  fish  ..." 

1  Sausage  !  "  said  the  dog. 

'  Fish  !  "  said  the  cat. 

'  And  ever  so  many  other  delicacies,"  Chanticleer  went  on. 
'  Look  here,  friends.  Wouldn't  it  be  a  fine  thing  if  we  could 
get  a  share  of  their  meal  ?  I  confess  that  my  stomach  aches 
with  hunger." 

'  And  mine  too,"  said  the  dog.  "  I've  never  been  so 
hungry  in  my  life.  But  how  are  we  to  get  the  food  ?  ' 

'  Let  us  serenade  them,  and  perhaps  they'll  throw  us 
something  as  a  reward,"  said  Greyskin.  "  Music,  you  know, 
has  charms  to  soothe  the  savage  breast." 

This  seemed  such  a  good  idea  that  the  choristers  lost  no 
time  in  putting  it  into  execution.  All  four  began  to  sing. 
The  donkey  hee-hawed,  the  dog  howled,  the  cat  miaued,  and 


THE  CHORISTERS  OF  ST.   GUDULE 

the  cock  crowed.     From  the  noise  they  made  one  would  have 
thought  that  the  heavens  were  falling. 

The  effect  of  this  marvellous  quartet  upon  the  robbers 
was  instantaneous.  Leaping  from  their  seats,  they  ran  from 
place  to  place  in  mortal  terror,  tumbling  over  one  another, 
oversetting  chairs  and  adding  to  the  racket  by  their  shrieks 
and  cries.  At  that  moment  the  cock  fell  against  the  window, 
breaking  the  glass  to  smithereens  ;  the  donkey  gave  the 


frame  a  push,  and  all  the  four  precipitated  themselves  into 
the  room.  This  was  the  last  straw  ;  the  robbers  could  stand 
no  more  ;  half  mad  with  fear  they  rushed  to  the  door  and 
fled  into  the  forest. 

Then  our  four  choristers  drew  up  to  the  table  and  set  to 
work  upon  the  food  with  which  it  was  laden.  Their  long 
walk  had  given  them  a  good  appetite,  so  that  there  was  little 
left  by  the  time  they  had  finished.  Feeling  drowsy  after  their 
meal,  they  then  settled  themselves  to  sleep.  The  donkey 
made  himself  a  bed  on  a  heap  of  straw  in  the  yard ;  the  dog 
stretched  himself  out  upon  the  mat  by  the  house  door ;  the 
cat  lay  among  the  warm  cinders  on  the  hearth ;  and  the  cock 

47 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

perched  upon  the  roof-top.  A  few  minutes  more  and  they 
were  all  fast  asleep. 

Meanwhile  the  robbers,  who  had  retreated  some  distance 
into  the  forest,  waited  anxiously  for  something  dreadful  to 
happen.  An  hour  passed  by  and  there  was  neither  sight  nor 
sound  to  alarm  them,  so  they  began  to  feel  a  little  ashamed 
of  their  cowardice.  Creeping  stealthily  nearer  to  the  cottage, 
they  saw  that  everything  was  still,  and  that  no  light  was 
showing  from  the  windows. 

At  last  the  robber  chief  sent  his  lieutenant  to  spy  out  the 
land,  and  this  man,  returning  to  the  cottage  without  mishap, 
found  his  way  into  the  kitchen  and  proceeded  to  light  a 
candle.  He  had  no  matches,  but  he  saw  two  sparks  of  fire 
among  the  cinders  on  the  hearth,  so  he  went  forward  to  get 
a  light  from  them. 

Now  this  light  came  from  the  cat's  eyes,  and  as  soon  as 
puss  felt  the  robber  touch  her,  she  sprang  up,  snarling  and 
spitting,  and  scratched  his  face.  With  a  scream  of  terror, 
he  dropped  his  candle  and  rushed  for  the  door,  and  as  he 
passed  the  dog  bit  him  in  the  leg.  By  this  time  the  noise 
had  awakened  Grey  skin,  who  got  upon  his  feet  just  as  the 
man  ran  by,  and  helped  him  forward  with  a  mighty  kick, 
which  sent  him  flying  out  into  the  roadway.  Seeing  this, 
the  cock  on  the  housetop  spread  his  wings  and  crowed  in 
triumph,  "  Cock-a-doodle-doo  !  ' 

I  wish  you  could  have  seen  the  way  that  robber  ran  ! 
He  covered  the  ground  so  quickly  that  he  seemed  like  a 
flying  shadow,  and  I  am  perfectly  certain  that  not  even  a  hare 
could  have  overtaken  him.  At  last,  panting  for  breath,  he 
rejoined  his  comrades  in  the  forest,  who  were  eagerly  awaiting 
his  return. 

"  Well,"  cried  the  chief,  "  is  the  way  clear  ?  Can  we  go 
back  ?  ' 

'  Not  on  any  account,"  cried  the  robber.  "  There's  a 
horrible  witch  in  the  kitchen.  Directly  I  entered  she  sprang 
at  me  and  tore  my  face  with  her  long  claws,  calling  out  at  the 
same  time  to  her  creatures  to  come  and  devour  me.  As  I  ran 


THE  CHORISTERS  OF  ST.  GUDULE 

through  the  door  one  of  them  buried  his  fangs  in  my  leg, 
and  a  little  farther  on,  in  the  yard,  a  great  black  monster 
struck  at  me  with  an  enormous  club,  giving  me  a  blow  that 
nearly  broke  my  back-bone.  On  the  roof  a  little  demon  with 
wings  and  eyes  that  shone  like  coals  of  fire  cried, '  Stop  him  ! 
Eat  him  !  Stop  him  !  Eat  him  ! '  You  may  guess  that 
I  did  not  wait  for  more.  It  is  a  miracle  that  I  have  escaped 
with  my  life  !  ' 

When  they  heard  this  terrible  story  the  robbers  lost  no 
time  in  decamping,  and  such  was  their  terror  that  they 
deserted  the  forest  altogether  and  went  away  to  another  part 
of  the  country.  The  result  was  that  our  four  friends  were 
left  to  dwell  in  the  cottage,  where  they  lived  happily  for  the 
rest  of  their  lives,  and  as  they  had  now  everything  they 
wanted,  they  quite  gave  up  their  idea  of  going  to  St.  Gudule. 


THE  KING 

THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD 
THE  FOX 

I.  HOW  CHANTICLEER  THE  COCK  MADE 
COMPLAINT  AGAINST  REYNARD 

HERE  was  rejoicing  among  the  animals,  for  it 
was  said  that  Reynard  the  Fox— sly,  spiteful 
Reynard— had  at  last  repented  him  of  his  mis 
deeds  and  resolved  to  lead  a  new  life.  Such 
a  thing  was,  indeed,  very  hard  to  believe,  but 
nevertheless  everybody  said  that  it  was  true. 
Certainly  he  was  seen  no  more  in  his  usual  haunts,  or  about 
the  Court  of  King  Lion.  The  news  went  round  that  he  had 
put  on  the  robe  of  piety  and  had  become  a  hermit,  en 
deavouring  to  atone,  by  fasting  and  prayer,  for  all  the  sins 
of  which  he  had  been  guilty. 

At  the  Court  of  King  Nobel,  Reynard's  change  of  heart 
was  the  one  topic  of  conversation.  A  few  of  the  animals 
5° 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 

frankly  expressed  their  doubts  of  the  sincerity  of  such  a 
tardy  repentance,  but  the  majority  were  quite  willing  to 
accept  it,  for,  as  a  rule,  one  believes  what  one  wishes  to 
believe. 

While  the  subject  was  still  being  eagerly  discussed  by  the 
animals  around  the  Lion's  throne,  the  sound  of  wailing  was 
heard,  and  a  strange  procession  was  seen  making  its  way 
towards  the  King's  throne.  At  the  head  of  the  procession 
marched  Chanticleer  the  Cock,  dressed  in  the  deepest 
mourning  and  sobbing  miserably,  with  bowed  head.  Behind 
him,  borne  by  two  hens,  was  a  bier  on  which  was  stretched 
the  headless  body  of  a  beautiful  fowl,  one  of  his  daughters, 
and  all  the  other  hens  of  his  family  followed  the  bier,  raising 
their  voices  to  heaven  in  grievous  lamentation.  At  this  sad 
sight  the  whole  Court  stood  in  amaze,  and  many  of  the 
animals  wept  in  sympathy  with  the  bereaved  father,  who 
advanced  towards  the  King's  throne,  crying  for  justice. 

'  Whom  do  you  accuse  ?  "  asked  the  Lion. 

'  Whom  should  I  accuse  but  that  accursed  Reynard, 
the  source  of  untold  misery  to  me  and  mine  ?  You  know, 
O  King,  none  better,  how  we  have  suffered  from  his  cruelty 
in  the  past.  The  tale  I  now  have  to  tell  is  a  tale  of  wrong 
that  would  bring  tears  to  the  eyes  of  a  stone  image — a  tale 
of  treachery  such  as  would  abash  the  Evil  One  himself,  a 
tale  so  base  that  I  can  hardly  bring  myself  to  utter  it !  ' 

"  Say  on,"  said  the  King,  "  and  rest  content,  for  if  what 
you  say  be  true,  the  Fox  shall  receive  his  due  reward — I 
swear  it  by  my  crown  !  ' 

"  Lord,"  continued  Chanticleer,  "  I  had  six  sons  and 
fourteen  daughters.  We  all  dwelt  together  in  the  farmyard, 
a  peaceable  and  happy  family.  The  rigours  of  the  winter 
were  spent ;  spring  had  come  again  with  its  flowers  and 
perfumes.  The  sun  shone  brightly,  and  insects  abounded 
in  the  farmyard.  We  dwelt  in  the  midst  of  abundance  ; 
we  were  happy,  and  as  we  thought,  safe,  for  the  farmer's 
six  faithful  dogs  guarded  us  from  danger.  Alas,  for  our 
beautiful  hopes  !  A  few  days  ago  Reynard  appeared — cruel, 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

black-hearted  Reynard — and  at  one  fell  blow  changed  our 
happiness  into  misery. 

"  This  is  how  it  all  happened,  Sire.  Reynard  came  to  the 
farmyard  one  fine  morning  and  brought  me  a  letter  bearing 
your  Majesty's  own  seal.  I  opened  it,  and  read  that  your 
Majesty  had  commanded  that  all  the  animals  should  hence 
forward  live  together  in  peace.  A  noble  ordinance,  Sire, 
such  as  would  make  the  world  a  beautiful  place — were  it  not 
for  villains.  I  gave  the  document  back  to  Reynard,  ex 
pressing  my  joy  at  the  news  it  contained,  whereupon  he  said  : 
*  My  heart  is  full,  Cock,  when  I  think  of  the  cruelty  with 
which  I  have  treated  you  and  your  family  in  the  past,  but 
you  need  have  no  further  fear,  I  have  seen  the  error  of  my 
ways.  Henceforth  my  life  shall  be  given  up  to  repentance 
and  prayer.  I  have  renounced  all  worldly  pleasures.  Even 
now  I  am  on  my  way  to  a  remote  hermitage  where,  in  fasting 
and  solitude,  I  shall  endeavour  to  atone  for  my  sins.' 

1  Then  the  hypocritical  wretch  stretched  his  paw  over 
my  head  and  gave  me  his  blessing  and  departed,  reading 
his  Book  of  Hours. 

"  Thinking  no  evil,  and  full  of  joy  at  the  news,  I  called 
my  children  around  me  and  cried :  '  Rejoice,  my  dear  ones. 
No  more  will  you  live  in  daily  terror  of  your  lives.  Our 
noble  King  has  given  us  his  protection  and  has  commanded 
the  Fox  to  leave  us  alone.  Reynard  himself  has  just  brought 
me  the  news,  so  I  know  it  is  true,  and  he  himself  has  gone 
away  to  become  a  holy  hermit ! ' 

*  My  children  danced  with  glee  when  they  heard  my 
words,  and  I  danced  with  them,  O  King  !  We  danced  in  the 
farmyard  and  in  the  garden,  and  in  the  kitchen  garden,  for 
it  was  as  though  a  black  cloud  had  vanished  from  over  us. 

1  This  was  the  very  moment  Reynard  had  been  waiting 
for.  He  had  not  gone  far  away — no  farther  in  fact  than  the 
shelter  of  the  wall  by  the  kitchen  garden,  and  as  soon  as  we 
reached  there,  he  rushed  out,  fell  upon  the  finest  of  my 
daughters  and  slew  her  before  my  eyes.  It  all  happened  in 
a  flash  !  We  ran  hither  and  thither,  trying  to  escape,  but 
52 


AT  THE  HEAD  OF  THE  PROCESSION  MARCHED  CHANTICLEER 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

all  in  vain.  Before  we  had  gone  a  dozen  steps  the  Fox  was 
among  us  again,  and  killed  fifteen  of  my  children.  Last 
night  he  returned,  and  slew  her  whose  body  now  lies  upon 
the  bier.  I  have  brought  her  here  to  show  you,  O  King, 
that  the  sight  of  her  corpse  may  strike  pity  into  your  heart, 
for  I  claim  justice  upon  her  murderer  !  ' 

So  saying,  the  Cock  bowed  his  head  again  and  wept 
bitterly  into  his  handkerchief,  and  pitiful  sobs  echoed  from 
among  the  beasts  around.  Even  the  King  could  hardly 
restrain  his  emotion. 

;<  A  terrible  tale,  indeed,"  said  he.  "  Our  hearts  are 
heavy  for  you,  Cock,  and  it  will  go  hard  with  this  Reynard 
when  he  falls  into  our  hands ! '  Then,  addressing  his 
courtiers,  he  asked  for  volunteers  to  go  to  the  Fox's  retreat 
and  bring  the  murderer  to  justice.  For  a  time  there  was  no 
response,  for  few  of  the  animals  relished  the  task,  but  at 
last  the  Bear,  who  had  an  old  grudge  against  Reynard, 
offered  to  go.  "  Leave  this  to  me/'  said  he.  "If  the  Fox 
won't  come  quietly,  I'll  drag  him  here  by  his  tail.  He  shall 
not  escape  ! ' 

So  the  Bear  set  off  to  find  Reynard,  who  had  retreated  to 
one  of  his  chateaux — a  veritable  fortress — situated  many  miles 
away  in  the  mountains  at  the  very  end  of  the  kingdom. 
To  reach  it  the  Bear  had  to  travel  over  lonely  paths,  and 
through  dark  woods,  where  he  lost  his  way  a  hundred  times, 
but  at  length  he  arrived  at  Reynard's  house,  only  to  find  the 
massive  door  locked,  and  the  walls  so  high  that  he  could  not 
climb  them. 


II.  HOW  BRUIN  THE  BEAR  WAS  SENT 
TO  BRING  REYNARD  TO  COURT 

'  Open,  in  the  name  of  the  King  !  "  cried  Bruin,  ham 
mering  at  the  door.  "  Come  out,  Reynard  !  I  have  been 
sent  to  bring  you  up  for  trial.  You  have  come  to  the  end  of 
your  rope  at  last !  Open  the  door,  I  say,  or  I'll  batter  it 
down !  ' 
54 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 

From  his  safe  retreat  in  the  very  heart  of  the  fortress 
Reynard  heard  Bruin's  clamour.  He  stretched  himself 
lazily  and  yawned.  "  Now  who  is  this  pestilent  fellow 
making  such  a  din  ?  "  said  he  to  his  wife.  '  Well,  I  suppose 
I'd  better  go  and  see."  So  he  made  his  way  through  the 
labyrinth  of  passages  which  led  from  his  burrow  to  the  open 


THE  Fox's  CHATEAU 

air,  and  peeped  through  the  crack  of  the  door.  There  was 
Bruin,  hammering  away  at  the  massive  oak,  and  roaring : 
"  Come  out,  Reynard.  Come  out  and  be  hanged  !  ' 

"  What !  is  that  you,  Uncle  Bruin  ?  '  said  Reynard, 
opening  the  wicket.  "  You  are  in  a  noisy  mood  this  morning. 
What  is  the  matter  ?  ' 

"  The  matter  is  that  the  King  has  sent  me  to  bring  you 
to  Court,"  growled  the  Bear.  "  And  you  had  best  come 
quietly,  for  I  represent  the  law." 

"  By  all  means,"  answered  Reynard,  opening  the  door. 
"  My  word,  but  I'm  glad  to  see  you,  uncle  !  And  an 
ambassador,  too — such  an  honour !  How  are  you,  and  what 
sort  of  a  journey  have  you  had  ?  Very  trying,  I'm  afraid. 

55 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Really  it  was  a  shame  to  impose  upon  your  good  nature  and 
send  you  all  this  way  !  * 

So  saying  the  Fox  led  the  way  into  his  castle,  keeping  up 
a  continual  patter  of  talk,  so  that  Bruin  could  not  get  a  word 
in  edgeways. 

"I'm  so  sorry  to  have  kept  you  waiting  at  the  gate," 
Reynard  went  on.  "  The  fact  is,  I  was  dozing  and  did  not 
hear  you  at  first.  I  rarely  sleep  in  the  afternoon,  but  to-day 
I  had  such  a  heavy  dinner  that  I  felt  extremely  drowsy  !  ' 

*  What  did  you  have  ?  "  asked  the  Bear  with  interest. 

"  Oh,  a  simple  meal  enough.  I  am  not  rich,  you  know, 
and  I  have  to  eat  what  I  can  find.  To-day  it  was  a  big 
comb  of  honey — not  very  much  to  my  taste,  but  I  was  hungry 
and  I  ate  it !  " 

Bruin  pricked  up  his  ears.  "  Eh  ?  "  said  he.  "  Did  you 
say  honey  ? ' 

"  Strange  food  for  a  fox,  isn't  it  ?  "  said  Reynard.  "  I 
wish  I  hadn't  touched  the  stuff  now,  for,  to  tell  you 
the  truth,  it's  lying  on  my  chest  like  a  load  of  lead.  I  swear 
never  to  eat  it  again,  although  I  know  a  place,  not  far  from 
here,  where  there  are  immense  quantities  of  it ! ' 

By  this  time  Bruin  was  all  agog  with  excitement. 

"  Nephew,"  said  he,  laying  his  paw  on  Reynard's  shoulder, 
"  show  me  the  place  where  that  honey  is.  My  mouth  is 
watering  at  the  very  thought  of  it.  I  love  honey  better  than 
anything  else  in  the  world,  and  I'd  give  all  I  possess  for  a 
taste  of  it !  " 

"  You  are  joking,  no  doubt,"  said  Reynard  laughingly. 
*  How  can  any  one  like  such  stuff  ? ' 

"  Joking,  am  I  ?  "  growled  Bruin.  "  Just  lead  me  to  the 
honey  and  I'll  show  you  whether  I'm  joking.  I  tell  you 
I'd  give  my  eyes  and  ears  for  a  taste  ! ' 

"  Well,  if  that's  the  case,"  said  Reynard,  "  you  shall  be 
satisfied.  There's  a  carpenter  not  far  from  here  who  keeps 
bees,  and  from  time  immemorial  his  family  have  been  noted 
for  the  excellence  of  their  honey.  I'll  take  you  there,  and 
I'm  very  glad  to  be  able  to  render  you  this  little  service. 


THE  POOR  BEAST  ROARED  WITH  PAIN 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

In  return,  all  I  ask  of  you  is  that  you  will  speak  up  for  me 
when  I  come  before  the  King." 

'  Of  course  I  will,"  answered  Bruin.    "  Let  us  go  at 
once.     I  can  hardly  contain  myself  for  impatience." 

Reynard  called  upon  Bruin  to  follow  him  and  led  the  way  to 
the  carpenter's  yard.  The  afternoon  was  very  hot,  and  the  car 
penter  was  taking  a  nap  after  dinner.  His  yard  was  empty  and 
in  the  middle  of  it  was  the  trunk  of  a  great  oak-tree  which 
he  had  laid  out  ready  to  be  cut  up  into  planks.  The  trunk  was 
split  down  the  middle,  and  kept  open  by  two  wedges  of  wood. 
'  Here  you  are  !  "  said  Reynard,  going  up  to  the  tree- 
trunk.  !  This  is  the  place  where  the  carpenter  keeps  his 
honey.  Put  your  muzzle  in  and  root  it  out  from  the  bottom. 
Don't  eat  too  much  ! ' 

"  Never  fear,"  answered  Bruin.  "  I'll  be  moderate." 
And  he  plunged  his  head  and  his  two  front  paws  into  the 
crack.  The  next  moment  Reynard  knocked  out  the  wedges 
which  kept  the  two  halves  of  the  trunk  apart.  They  sprang 
together  with  the  force  of  a  steel  spring,  catching  Bruin 
firmly  by  the  nose  and  paws. 

The  poor  beast  roared  with  pain,  making  a  din  that 
echoed  back  like  thunder  from  the  mountains.  The  car 
penter  woke  up  from  his  slumber,  and  seizing  an  axe, 
ran  out  into  the  yard.  His  wife  came  tumbling  out  of 
the  scullery  with  a  broom  in  her  hand,  and  people  from 
the  neighbouring  village  came  running  to  see  what  all 
the  noise  was  about.  When  they  saw  that  the  Bear  was  a 
prisoner  they  fell  upon  him  and  began  to  belabour  him  with 
mighty  blows,  while  the  unhappy  creature  gave  himself  up 
for  lost.  Maddened  with  pain,  he  redoubled  his  efforts  to 
tear  himself  free,  and  at  last  succeeded  in  getting  away, 
although  he  left  most  of  the  skin  of  his  nose  and  paws  behind. 
With  the  blood  flowing  from  his  muzzle,  and  his  eyes  shining 
red  with  rage,  he  made  such  a  terrible  picture  that  the  people 
fled  hither  and  thither,  leaving  him  a  free  passage,  and  he 
limped  off  into  the  shelter  of  the  woods,  moaning  and 
breathing  out  threats  against  his  betrayer. 
58 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 

From  a  safe  distance  Reynard  watched  him  go,  with  a 
malicious  grin.  "  Farewell,  Uncle  Bear,"  said  he.  *  I  hope 
you  found  the  honey  good  ! ' 


III.  TYBERT'S  MISSION  AND  HOW  HE  FARED 

King  Lion  was  furious  when  he  saw  the  miserable  state 
in  which  his  ambassador  returned.    He  immediately  called  a 


HE    IMMEDIATELY   CALLED   A   COUNCIL   OF   HIS   MINISTERS 

council  of  his  ministers,  to  whom  Bruin  related  all  that  had 
happened. 

"  This  recreant  must  be  punished,"  said  the  King  when 
the  tale  was  ended.  "  It  is  a  disgrace  to  our  kingdom  that 
he  remains  at  large.  Somebody  else  must  go  to  bring  him 
here.  Who  shall  it  be  ?  ' 

After  a  good  deal  of  discussion  it  was  decided  that  Tybert 
the  Cat  should  undertake  the  task,  for  he  was  reputed  to  be 

59 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

as  cunning  and  artful  as  Reynard  himself.  "  Do  not  be 
deceived  by  his  wiles,"  said  the  King.  "  No  doubt  he  will 
try  to  flatter  you,  or  to  play  upon  your  weaknesses,  but  pay 
no  attention  to  his  words.  You  must  take  this  mission  very 
seriously  and  not  allow  yourself  to  be  led  aside  by  anything. 
On  your  head  be  it !  ' 

The  Cat  promised  to  be  very  circumspect,  and  set  off  at 
once.  He  travelled  quickly,  and  soon  arrived  at  the  door  of 
Reynard's  castle,  where  he  found  the  Fox  playing  with  his 
cubs  on  the  grass,  tumbling  them  over  and  over,  and  having 
fine  fun.  It  was  a  touching  spectacle  of  domestic  bliss. 
Reynard  jumped  to  his  feet  when  he  saw  Tybert. 

1  Why,  cousin,"  said  he,  "  this  is  a  pleasant  surprise  ! 
What  makes  you  desert  the  gaieties  of  the  Court  for  my 
poor  home  ? ' 

'  I  come  in  the  King's  name,"  answered  the  Cat  sternly. 
'  He  has  sent  me  to  bring  you  to  Court,  where  you  are  to 
answer  for  your  revolting  crimes.  The  Bear  returned 
yesterday,  and  the  tale  he  told  has  stiffened  the  King's  anger 
against  you.  I  am  to  say  that  if  you  refuse  to  accompany 
me,  your  house  shall  be  destroyed  and  your  family  wiped  off 
the  face  of  the  earth  ! ' 

1  Refuse,"  said  Reynard,  "  whoever  thought  of  refusing  ? 
I  am  sure  the  King  has  no  more  obedient  subject  than  I. 
As  for  that  Bruin,  he  is  a  bad  subject,  and  I  expect  he  has 
been  telling  a  pack  of  lies  about  me.  Do  I  look  as  if  I  could 
do  anybody  any  harm  ?  As  a  matter  of  fact  I  spend  all  my 
time  here  in  meditation  and  prayer.  But  come  in,  come  in  ! 
You  must  have  a  meal,  for  you  have  had  a  long  journey. 
To-morrow  we  will  set  out  together." 

*  It  seems  to  me,"  said  the  Cat,  "  that  it  would  be  better 
if  we  started  at  once." 

'  Nonsense,  my  dear  fellow,"  said  Reynard.  "  It  is  bad 
to  make  a  journey  on  an  empty  stomach.  What  difference 
will  an  hour  or  two  make  ?  We  shall  travel  all  the  faster 
if  we  start  in  good  condition." 

*  Well,  there's  something  in  that,"  said  Tybert,  who,  to 
60 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 

tell  the  truth,  was  not  sorry  of  an  excuse  to  break  a  fast  of 
many  hours.     '  What  have  you  got  for  dinner  ?  "  ^ 

"  What  would  you  like  ?  "  asked  Reynard.  "  Shall  we 
say  a  comb  of  honey  ?  ' 

;'  Bah  !  "  cried  the  Cat.  "  Honey  indeed !  I  loathe  the 
stuff.  Now  if  you  had  a  nice  fat  mouse  .  .  .  !  ' 

*  Happy  thought,"  said  Reynard.  "  As  it  happens,  I 
know  a  house  close  by  where  there  are  hundreds  of  mice, 
the  fattest  and  sleekest  creatures  you  ever  saw  in  your  life, 
and  so  tame  that  one  can  literally  scoop  them  up  by  the  score. 
I  often  catch  a  few  myself 
when  I  am  hungry  and 
other  game  is  scarce." 

"  Take  me  to  this 
house,"  said  Tybert. 
!  Tame  or  not,  I'll  catch 
the  mice  if  they  are  there. 
I  love  the  creatures."  And 
he  licked  his  lips  and 
stretched  out  his  paws. 

Now  Reynard  had 
spoken  the  truth  when  he  said  that  he  knew  a  house  where 
mice  abounded,  and  it  was  true  also  that  he  often  went 
there — not  in  search  of  mice,  but  of  chickens.  The  last 
time  he  had  paid  a  visit  he  had  found  that  the  farmer  had 
put  a  string  noose  over  the  hole  by  which  he  was  used 
to  enter,  but  fortunately  for  himself  Reynard  had  discovered 
it  in  time. 

Towards  this  house  he  now  led  the  unsuspecting  Tybert, 
and  having  shown  him  the  hole,  bade  him  enter  and  take 
his  fill  of  the  mice.  Tybert  obeyed,  but  no  sooner  had  he 
got  his  head  through  the  hole  than  the  trap  was  sprung, 
and  there  he  was,  caught.  He  gave  a  scream  of  pain  and 
fear,  and  from  behind  Reynard  answered  mockingly :  "  Sing 
away,  cousin.  I  love  to  hear  your  voice.  But  mind  you 
don't  frighten  the  mice  ! '  Then  he  took  to  his  heels  and 

ran  back  to  his  castle. 

61 


TAKE  ME  TO   THIS   HOUSE 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

A  minute  or  two  later  the  farmer,  having  heard  the 
Cat's  miaulings,  arrived  armed  with  a  heavy  stick.  "  Ah, 
you  thief,"  he  cried,  "I've  got  you  at  last,  have  I  ?  "  And  he 
began  to  lay  the  stick  on  the  Cat's  back  with  all  his  might. 
Tybert  kicked  and  struggled,  and  managed  at  last  to  get 
free,  but  he  was  more  dead  than  alive  when  he  went  limping 
back  to  the  King's  Court. 


IV.  HOW  BLAIREAU  THE  BADGER  BROUGHT 
REYNARD  TO  TRIAL 

"  This  is  monstrous,"  said  King  Nobel  when  he  had 
heard  Tybert 's  piteous  tale.  '  It  is  no  use  paltering  any 
longer.  We  must  burn  this  caitiff's  castle  about  his  ears." 

"  One  moment,  Sire,"  said  Blaireau  the  Badger,  who  was 
a  great  friend  of  Reynard's.  "  Our  ancient  laws  demand 
that  any  person  accused  of  crime  shall  be  called  three  times 
before  extreme  measures  are  taken  against  him.  Now  Rey 
nard  has  only  been  called  twice.  I  propose,  therefore,  that 
he  be  given  one  more  chance  to  render  himself  peacefully 
before  your  Majesty,  and  to  defend  himself.  There  are  two 
sides  to  every  story,  and  so  far  we  have  only  heard  one." 

"  That  is  all  very  well,"  said  the  King,  "  but  who  will 
be  the  messenger  ?  It  seems  to  me  that  the  experiences  of 
the  other  two  will  be  little  encouragement  for  a  third." 

"  If  no  one  else  will  go,"  answered  Blaireau,  "  I  will  go 
myself.  Reynard  has  been  a  very  good  friend  of  mine  in  the 
past,  and  I  may  be  able  to  appeal  to  his  better  self." 

"  I  doubt  it,"  said  the  King ;  "  but  go  by  all  means,  and 
bring  him  back  if  you  can.  Should  you  fail,  I  will  batter 
down  his  castle  stone  by  stone." 

So  Blaireau  went  off  on  his  mission,  and  arriving  at  the 
chateau,  found  Reynard  in  the  midst  of  his  family. 

"  Look  here,  uncle,"  said  he,  "  there  must  be  an  end  to 
all  nonsense.  The  King  is  at  the  end  of  his  patience,  and 
unless  you  obey  his  commands  he  is  determined  to  stick  at 
62 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD   THE  FOX 

nothing  with  you.  Tybert  and  Bruin  are  both  badly  knocked 
about,  and  the  sympathy  of  all  the  animals  is  with  them.  But 
for  my  pleadings  the  King  would  have  sent  an  army  to  burn 
your  castle  about  your  ears.  Be  sensible  now,  and  come 
back  quietly  with  me.  You  have  wits  enough  to  defend 


"TYBERT  AND  BRUIN  ARE  BADLY  KNOCKED  ABOUT" 

yourself  against  all  accusations  and  need  not  fear  the  issue. 
I  tell  you  frankly,  delay  will  be  dangerous." 

'  Ah,"  said  Reynard,  "  if  those  others  had  only  spoken 
to  me  as  you  have  spoken,  my  dear  nephew,  things  would 
have  been  very  different.  They  were  insolent  and  they  paid 
the  price,  but  nobody  shall  say  that  Reynard  the  Fox  was 
impervious  to  good  counsel.  Of  course  I  will  go  with  you 

—the  sooner  the  better.     I  have  no  fear  of  being  able  to 
silence  my  calumniators.    The  King  can't  live  without  me 

—he  knows  it  very  well,  and  that  fact  alone  will  provide  him 
with  a  good  motive  for  giving  me  a  free  pardon." 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Then  Reynard  took  a  tender  farewell  of  Hermeline,  his 
wife,  and  Reynkin,  his  eldest  son,  and  all  the  other  children, 
and  set  off  with  Blaireau  towards  the  King's  Court. 

On  the  way  Rey 
nard  said  :  "  My  dear 
Blaireau,  this  is  a  very 
solemn  moment  of 
my  life  !  I  cannot 
help  feeling  that  I 
have  not,  perhaps, 
always  lived  as  right 
eously  as  I  might 
have  done.  It  will 
relieve  my  mind 
somewhat  if  I  might 
make  confession  of 
some  of  the 
heinous  of 
crimes.  Will 
hear  me  ? ' 

"  Certainly,"  an 
swered  Blaireau.  "  I 
am  glad  to  hear  you 
have  a  contrite  heart, 
uncle.  Speak  on  by 
all  means.  Confes 
sion  is  the  first  step 
towards  repentance." 
"  I  have  been  a 
sad  sinner,"  Reynard 
went  on.  "  My 
heart  fails  me  when 
I  think  of  all  the 
misery  I  have  caused !  I  weep  for  the  poor  Bear,  whose  nose 
and  paws  are  skinless  because  of  me,  and  for  the  Cat,  who 
suffered  a  terrible  beating  at  the  hands  of  the  farmer.  Then 
there  was  the  Wolf — did  I  ever  tell  you  about  the  Wolf  ?  ' 


most 
my 
you 


"AND  CAUSED  HIM  TO  JUMP  AT  LEAST  TWENTY 
FEET  INTO  THE  AIR  " 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 

"  No,"  said  Blaireau,  "  you  did  not." 

*  Well,"  continued  Reynard,  "  the  Wolf  and  I  were  one 
day  walking  along  the  road  when  we  came  to  a  monastery, 
It  was  the  time  of  evensong,  and  the  sound  of  the  bells  made 
such  a  sweet  music  in  the  air  that  I  felt  my  soul  grow  full 
of  enthusiasm.    '  Ah,'  said  I,  'if  I  were  only  one  of  the 
monks  in  that  monastery,  with  what  joy  would  I  sound  the 
bells  !  '     Isengrim   thought    the   idea    a    splendid  one,   and 
wished  to  carry  it  into  practice,  so,  as  he  was  not  a  monk, 
I  took  it  upon  myself  to  introduce  him  into  the  monastery 
at  dead  of  night.    There  I  tied  him  to  the  bell-rope  and  bade 
him  pull,  for  the  good  of  his  soul.     He  pulled — ah,  nephew, 
how  enthusiastically  he  pulled !    The  bells  rang  as  they  had 
never  rung  before,  and  all  the  monks  in  the  monastery  came 
running  to  see  what  was  the  matter.    Isengrim  would  have 
run  away  if  he  could,  but  alas,  I  had  tied  him  so  firmly  to 
the  rope  that  he  could  not  escape,  and  he  got  a  sound  beating 
for  his  pains. 

'  Another  time,  still  under  the  influence  of  his  monastic 
ideas,  Isengrim  proposed  to  me  that  I  should  shave  his  head. 
I  agreed,  and  when  I  had  him  in  the  chair,  to  my  eternal 
shame  be  it  said,  I  planted  a  burning  firebrand  on  his  pate, 
and  caused  him  to  jump  at  least  twenty  feet  into  the  air. 
Ah,  I  am  a  miserable  sinner."  And  Reynard  broke  into 
sobs  and  lamentations. 

*  Never  mind,"  said  Blaireau  consolingly,  "  since  you 
are  truly  repentant,  all  will  be  forgiven  you.    See,  there  are 
the  towers  of  the  King's  palace.    We  shall  soon  be  there. 
Get  ready  to  make  your  speech  of  defence,  for  you  will  need 
all  your  eloquence  this  day." 

V.  HOW  REYNARD  TOLD  THE  KING  OF  A 
HIDDEN  TREASURE 

When  Reynard  arrived  at  the  court  he  found  all  the 
animals  assembled  to  witness  his  trial.  King  Nobel  sat  on 
his  throne,  with  the  Queen  by  his  side,  and  very  cold  and 

E  65 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

stern  was  the  glance  which  the  monarch  cast  upon  Master 
Fox  as  he  stepped  up  and  made  his  obeisance.  "  Reynard," 
said  the  King,  "  you  have  been  accused  of  crimes  so  many 
and  so  grievous  that  if  only  the  half  of  all  the  accusations 
are  true,  you  have  merited  death  a  hundred  times.  What 
have  you  to  say  ?  ' 

Reynard  put  a  paw  up  to  his  face  and  brushed  away  a 
tear  ;  then,  with  his  voice  broken  with  emotion,  he  answered  : 
"  My  lord  the  King,  I  have  been  a  miserable  sinner,  and 
there  is  nothing  left  for  me  to  do  but  to  cast  myself  upon 
your  royal  mercy.  Where  King  Nobel  sits,  there  justice 
and  mercy  sit  also.  I  am  sure  of  the  one  ;  therefore  I  make 
bold  to  plead  earnestly  for  the  other.  Perhaps,  O  King,  I 
am  not  so  bad  as  I  have  been  painted.  The  tongues  of 
enemies  have  uttered  slanders  before  to-day,  and  brought 
upright  men  to  ruin.  All  I  ask,  O  King,  is  that  you  will 
let  me  state  my  case,  and,  when  I  shall  have  finished  my 
tale,  judge  me  according  to  my  deserts.  I  will  keep  nothing 
back,  for  in  this  serious  hour  I  wish  to  speak  nothing  but 
the  naked  truth.  Listen  to  me,  O  King,  and  let  these  others 
listen  also.  Perchance  the  sad  story  of  my  wrongdoings, 
and  of  my  gradual  fall  from  righteousness,  may  be  a  lesson 
to  many  here,  and  by  serving  as  an  example  help  to  keep 
them  upon  the  strait  and  narrow  path." 

"  You  have  a  glib  tongue,  Reynard,"  said  the  King. 
"  It  has  saved  you  before  to-day,  but  this  time  the  count 
is  too  serious  to  be  hidden  by  a  mist  of  words.  Yet  speak 
on.  The  accused  has  a  right  to  make  his  own  defence,  and 
that  right  I  should  be  the  last  to  deny,  even  to  one  forsworn 
and  treacherous,  as  you  have  proved  yourself  to  be." 

Reynard  sobbed  aloud.  "  Hard  words,  O  King,"  said 
he,  "  and  harder  still  because  of  the  truth  that  is  in  them. 
I  do  not  complain.  Meekly  I  bow  the  head  and  make 
confession  of  my  sins." 

At  this  all  the  animals  settled  themselves  comfortably 
to  listen.  The  idea  of  Reynard  the  Fox  confessing  anything 
was  so  new  that  not  one  of  them  would  willingly  have  missed 
66 


THE  TRIAL  OF   REYNARD   THE   FOX 

a  word.  Those  of  the  animals  who  knew  Reynard  well 
regarded  him  a  little  uneasily,  but  nobody  broke  silence. 
Reynard  remained  for  a  time  sobbing  quietly  with  head 
bowed  upon  his  paws,  then,  in  a  broken  >voice,  he  began  to 
speak  : 

"  From  my  very 
earliest  years,  O  King," 
said  he,  "I  was  mis 
chievous  and  unruly.  Had 
there  been  anybody  to 
give  me  counsel  and  guid 
ance  I  might  perhaps  have 
outgrown  the  errors  of  my 
youth  and  become  a 
worthy  subject.  Unfortu 
nately  I  fell  into  bad  com- 
pany,  and,  under  the 
influence  of  evil  companions 
went  rapidly  from  bad  to 
worse.  Isengrim  the  Wolf 
was  my  friend  in  those 
early  days.  He  it  was  who 
taught  me  to  steal  and  to 
prey  upon  the  defenceless 
creatures  of  the  woods  and 
fields.  My  first  victim,  I 
well  remember,  was  a 
young  lamb  which  had 
strayed  from  the  fold .  Isen 
grim  led  me  to  her  and  persuaded  me  to  kill  her,  and 
afterwards,  in  the  same  way,  a  goat  and  two  young  deer  fell 
victims  to  my  raging  thirst  for  blood.  Soon  not  a  hen 
house,  not  a  fold  was  safe  from  my  depredations.  I  killed 
for  the  sake  of  killing,  and  that  part  of  the  meat  which  I 
could  not  devour  I  gave  to  the  Wolf,  who  was  only  too 
willing  to  take  it,  or  hid  it  in  certain  holes  and  crannies 
in  the  wood." 

67 


I    WAS   MISCHIEVOUS   AND  UNRULY 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

All  the  time  that  Reynard  had  been  speaking  Isengrim 
had  been  making  frantic  efforts  to  speak,  but  a  glance  from 
the  King  had  kept  him  silent.  Now  he  could  contain  him 
self  no  longer.  Trembling  with  fury,  he  rose  to  his  feet 
and  cried :  "  Lies !  All  lies,  O  King !  Will  your  Majesty 
believe  anything  it  pleases  this  slanderous  dog  to  say  ? ' 

"  Silence  !  '  cried  the  King.  "  Your  turn  will  come 
later.  For  the  present  let  the  accused  speak  without  interrup 
tion  !  ' 

'  Thanks,  O  King,"  said  Reynard.  '  I  can  well  under 
stand  the  Wolf's  wrath  when  his  connexion  with  so  vile 
a  creature  as  I  is  thus  brought  to  light.  Yet  I  have  sworn 
to  tell  the  truth,  and  the  truth  I  will  tell  without  regard 
to  persons.  Sorry  as  I  am  to  say  it,  the  Wolf  was  not  the 
only  one  to  lead  me  into  bad  ways.  Among  my  companions 
of  those  early  days  were  also  the  Bear  and  the  Cat.  They 
made  me  hunt  for  them  when  I  was  young,  and  such  was 
their  voracity  that  there  was  little  left  for  myself,  and  I 
should  have  died  of  hunger  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  I 
was  fortunate  enough  to  discover  a  hidden  treasure  !  ' 

"  Eh,  what's  that  ?  "  said  the  King.  "  Did  you  say  a 
treasure  ?  ' 

"  Aye,"  answered  Reynard,  *  a  treasure  of  gold,  my 
lord  ;  so  great  a  treasure  that  it  would  take  your  servants 
many  days  even  to  count  it  all.  And  not  gold  alone,  but 
precious  gems — diamonds  of  the  purest  water,  rubies  red 
as  blood,  and  emeralds  green  as  the  sea  when  the  sun  shines 
upon  it !  ' 

The  Queen  leaned  forward  upon  her  throne  and  fixed 
Reynard  with  burning  eyes.  ;*  And  pearls  too  ? '  she 
whispered. 

"  Pearls  too,  O  Queen.  Ropes  of  pearls  that  well  would 
adorn  your  Majesty's  fair  neck.  And  jewelled  crowns  worthy 
of  a  royal  brow  !  Hidden  deep  in  the  earth  they  lie,  all 
those  riches,  and  now  they  will  lie  there  for  ever,  for  nobody 
knows  of  them  but  myself.  Perhaps  it  is  as  well.  The 
lust  of  gold  is  the  motive  of  many  crimes,  and  this  treasure 
68 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 


. '.  ,'     I 


THE  TRIAL  OF  REYNARD  THE  FOX 

has  already  been  the  cause  of  a  serious  attempt  against  the 
throne  and  the  life  of  the  King  !  But  all  this  has  nothing 
to  do  with  my  confession.  With  your  Majesty's  leave  I 
will  go  on  with  what  I  was 
about  to  say." 

"  One  moment,"  said 
the  Queen.  ;  Those 
crowns  you  spoke  of — de 
scribe  them  more  fully. 
What  stones  had  they,  and 
how  set  ?  ' 

"  Time  enough  for 
that,"  cried  the  King. 
'  You  shall  try  the  crowns 
upon  your  head  before  all 
is  done.  Let  the  Fox  tell 
us  where  this  treasure  is 
hidden ;  that  is  the  impor 
tant  thing  ! ' 

"  I  had  thought  to  carry 
the  secret  with  me  to  the 
grave,"  said  Reynard, "  but 
in  this  solemn  hour  I  can 
hide  nothing.  If  it  is  your 
Majesty's  will,  I  will  tell 
all." 

"  Beware,  O  King  !  " 
cried  the  Bear.  "  He  will 

deceive  you  now  as  he   has   deceived   others.    Believe   not 
his  lying  words  !  ' 

"  Silence  !  '  cried  the  King.  "  This  matter  concerns 
me,  and  me  alone.  Let  Reynard  speak  !  ' 

Reynard  cast  a  look  of  triumph  at  Bruin  and  Isengrim, 
and,  smiling  faintly,  went  on  with  his  tale. 

"  The  treasure  was  discovered  €rst  of  all  by  my  father. 
He  came  upon  it  one  day  when  he  was  hunting  in  the 
forest,  among  the  ruins  of  a  palace  that  once  belonged  to 

69 


AND    PEARLS   TOO  ?  "   SHE   WHISPERED 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

an  ancient  king.  There,  in  a  deep  hole,  under  a  big 
stone,  he  found  the  gold  and  gems,  and  for  ever  after 
wards  he  was  a  changed  creature.  No  longer  blithe  and 
care-free,  he  slunk  about  as  though  overburdened  with 
responsibility.  He  knew  himself  rich  beyond  compare 
— richer  than  any  king  in  all  the  world,  and  gradually  into 
his  heart  there  crept  the  desire  to  win,  by  means  of  his  riches, 
a  place  of  power. 

;<  At  that  time,  O  King,  my  father  was  bitter  against 
your  Majesty  because  of  your  disapproval  of  his  manner  of 
life,  and  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  he  determined  to  wrest  you 
from  the  throne  and  to  set  up  another  in  your  place.  Full 
of  this  project,  he  took  Tybert  the  Cat  into  his  confidence. 
The  two  met  together  secretly  in  the  forest  of  the  Ardennes, 
and  after  much  discussion  they  decided  to  offer  the  throne 
to  Bruin  the  Bear  !  ' 

[<  Ah  !  '  ejaculated  the  King,  turning  his  gaze  upon 
Bruin,  who  was  too  furious  to  speak.  "  So  now  we  know 
why  you  wished  to  still  Reynard's  tongue." 

'  The  Bear  was  delighted  with  the  prospect,"  Reynard 
went  on,  "  and  strutted  about  the  forest  as  though  he  were 
already  crowned.  He  was  always  talking  of  the  fine  laws 
he  would  make  and  the  splendid  time  he  would  have,  but 
he  was  too  stupid  to  be  of  much  use  as  a  plotter.  Indeed, 
it  was  for  reason  of  his  stupidity  that  my  father  and  Tybert 
chose  him  as  king,  for  they  thought  they  could  make  of  him 
a  useful  tool.  They  had,  however,  to  lay  their  plans  without 
him,  and  the  better  to  carry  them  out,  they  called  Isengrim 
the  Wolf,  and  Grimbard  the  Ape,  into  conference.  The 
five  met  together  at  a  certain  place  between  Heyst  and  Gand, 
and  it  was  there,  O  King,  that  your  death  was  decided  upon. 
Each  of  the  conspirators  took  a  solemn  oath  not  to  divulge 
the  proceedings  to  a  living  soul,  and  having  settled  the  very 
hour  and  day  of  your  Majesty's  assassination,  they  departed 
to  their  homes. 

'  Now,  like  all  apes,  Grimbard  was  a  chatterer,  and  no 
sooner  was  he  within  his  house  than  he  told  his  wife  all 
70 


I  SAW  HIM  STOP  AT  THE  FOOT  OF  A  GREAT  TREE" 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

that  had  happened,  explaining  to  her  that  it  was  a  great 
secret  and  she  was  not  to  tell  a  soul.  Of  course  she  promised 
faithfully  to  keep  a  still  tongue  in  her  head,  and  as  a  matter 
of  fact  I  believe  she  did  manage  to  keep  the  secret  for  a 
whole  day.  Then  she  happened  to  meet  my  wife  in  the 
woods,  and  having  sworn  her  to  secrecy,  told  her  the  whole 
thing.  My  wife,  out  of  a  feeling  of  love  and  regard  to  your 
Majesty,  thought  it  her  duty  to  inform  me,  which  she  did, 
immediately  she  returned  home,  without  keeping  back  a 
single  detail. 

"  I  could  not  believe  my  ears  at  first.  *  What !  Bruin, 
king  !  '  I  cried.  '  That  great  fat  lump  of  hairy  stupidity, 
king  of  the  animals !  Is  the  world  going  mad  ?  Would 
they  dethrone  our  loved  and  gracious  lord  in  favour  of  so 
base  a  beast  ?  '  There  and  then,  O  King,  I  raised  my  hand 
above  my  head  and  swore  to  defend  your  Majesty's  life  to 
the  last.  '  While  Reynard  lives/  I  said,  *  the  King's  throne 
shall  be  secure,  cost  what  it  may  !  ' 

"  From  that  moment  I  thought  of  nothing  else  but  how 
best  to  thwart  my  father's  base  plans.  It  seemed  to  me  that 
if  I  could  only  discover  the  treasure  I  might  stop  the  whole 
thing,  for  the  conspirators  relied  upon  the  gold  to  pay  the 
armies  they  intended  to  raise.  For  days,  therefore,  I  lurked 
about  the  woods,  following  my  father  wherever  he  went,  in 
the  hope  that,  sooner  or  later,  he  would  betray  the  treasure's 
whereabouts.  But  he  was  far  too  wary  to  go  near  it,  and 
had  it  not  been  for  the  stupidity  of  the  Ape  I  might  have 
remained  none  the  wiser.  One  day  I  noticed  Grimbard 
wheeling  a  barrow  through  the  forest  with  an  air  of  great 
secrecy,  and  following  him  unseen,  at  a  safe  distance,  I  saw 
him  stop  in  the  midst  of  the  ruins  of  that  ancient  palace  in 
the  forest.  There,  at  the  foot  of  a  great  tree,  he  lifted  a 
heavy  stone,  discovering  a  deep  hole,  from  which  he  took 
several  vases  filled  to  the  brim  with  golden  coins.  These 
he  placed  upon  his  barrow,  and  having  carefully  covered  up 
the  hole  again,  trundled  off  into  the  forest. 

"  No  sooner  had  he  disappeared  amid  the  shade  of  the 
72 


THE  TRIAL  OF   REYNARD   THE   FOX 

trees  than  I  ran  forward  and  lifted  the  stone.  What  a  sight 
met  my  eyes  !  There  lay  the  treasure — chest  upon  chest  of 
shining  gold,  and  heaps  of  jewels  flashing  with  rays  of  many- 


THE  CONSPIRACY  GAINED  ADHERENTS  EVERY  DAY 

coloured    light.    My    eyes    were    nearly    blinded    by    the 
splendour. 

"  Even  as  I  stood  gazing  in  a  sort  of  dazed  trance,  I 
realized  what  I  must  do.  If  I  could  get  this  treasure  away 
from  the  place  where  it  was  hidden,  and,  unknown  to  the 

73 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

conspirators,  transport  it  somewhere  else,  their  plot  would 
be  strangled  at  its  birth.  Unfortunately  the  treasure  was 
heavy  and  I  had  no  means  of  conveyance — not  even  a  barrow, 
but  I  took  counsel  of  Hermeline,  my  wife,  and  she,  noble 
soul  as  she  is,  strengthened  me  in  my  resolve.  '  Though 
we  wear  our  paws  to  the  bone/  said  she,  '  we  must  take  the 
treasure  away  and  save  the  life  of  our  noble  and  our  beloved 
King/  That  very  night  we  began  our  task,  and  little  by 
little  we  moved  the  treasure,  hiding  it  in  a  safe  place  known 
only  to  ourselves.  For  the  best  part  of  a  month  we  laboured, 
working  only  at  night,  and  fearful  every  moment  that  we 
should  be  discovered.  At  last  everything  was  finished,  and 
the  whole  of  the  treasure  removed. 

'  In  the  meantime,  the  conspiracy  gained  adherents 
every  day.  My  father  was  the  life  and  soul  of  the  plot. 
He  sent  messengers  far  and  near,  into  every  corner  of  the 
land,  to  win  the  animals  over  to  his  side.  *  Those  who  enrol 
under  my  banner/  said  he,  '  shall  receive  a  large  sum  of 
money  paid  in  advance.  I  do  not  ask  them  to  trust  my 
word,  but  to  come  to  me  and  let  me  pour  the  money  into 
their  hands.'  In  such  circumstance  what  wonder  that  his 
supporters  grew  every  hour.  Before  long  he  had  gathered 
together  an  immense  army,  which  was  increased  by  troops 
raised  by  the  Bear,  the  Wolf,  and  the  Cat.  Bruin,  in  par 
ticular,  was  very  proud  of  his  success  in  raising  soldiers. 
He  already  fancied  himself  king,  and  walked  about  giving 
orders  to  everybody  who  crossed  his  path. 

;*  Now  the  time  for  payment  had  come,  so  my  father, 
accompanied  by  Grimbard  and  the  Cat,  made  his  way  to  the 
hiding-place  of  the  treasure  to  bring  out  the  gold.  I  watched 
them  from  afar,  and  saw  them  uncover  the  hole,  and  never 
to  my  dying  day  shall  I  forget  the  scream  my  father  uttered 
when  he  saw  that  the  treasure  was  no  longer  there.  Franti 
cally  the  two  of  them  dug  up  the  soil  around  the  place  in 
the  hope  that  they  were  mistaken,  but  not  a  single  gold  piece 
could  they  find.  At  last  Grimbard,  chattering  with  fear, 
turned  and  slunk  away,  while  my  father  crept  home  and 
74 


hanged  himself  with  a  cord  to  a  nail  just  outside  the  back 
door.  A  terrible  end,  O  King,  but  though  he  was  my 
father,  I  cannot  help 
feeling  he  deserved 
the  misery  he  had 
brought  upon  him 
self.  As  for  Bruin, 
he  found  himself 
faced  with  the  ne 
cessity  of  explaining 
to  the  soldiers  that 
no  money  was  forth 
coming,  and  being 
a  coward  at  heart, 
he  shirked  the  task. 
He,  too,  fled  secretly, 
and  Tybert  the  Cat 
soon  followed.  To 
day,  sire,  these  three 
stand  among  the 
foremost  of  my 
accusers.  If  I  have 
sinned, have  they 
not  sinned  too,  and 
in  greater  measure  ? " 

The  King  waved 
his  paw  impatiently. 
"  We  will  deal  with 
them  presently," 
said  he.  "  For  the 
present,  keep  to  your 
tale.  Where  is  the 
treasure  hidden? 
Speak,  and  lie  not, 
on  your  life  !  ' 

"  Why  should  I  lie,  O  King  ?  '    asked  Reynard  in  an 
aggrieved  tone.    "  Have  I  not  sworn  to  tell  the  truth  ?    In 

75 


THE   SUIT   OF   GOLDEN   ARMOUR   EMRIK   WORE 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Western  Flanders  there  is  a  little  wood  called  Husterloo.  In 
the  midst  of  that  wood  lies  a  pool,  which  is  known  by  the 
name  of  Krekelput.*  It  is  a  dreary  place,  O  King,  and 
solitary,  for  it  lies  among  marshes  where  no  man  can  pass. 
No  sound  is  heard  in  that  place  save  only  the  call  of  the 
carrion-crow  by  day,  and  the  dismal  hooting  of  the  owl  by 
night.  There,  close  to  that  pool,  I  hid  the  treasure,  in  a 
hole  in  the  earth  which  I  covered  with  soil,  marking  the 
place  with  three  great  stones.  Remove  those  stones,  and  dig 
up  the  soil,  and  you  will  discover  three  enormous  golden 
vases,  beautifully  carved  and  modelled.  In  the  first  is  the 
royal  crown  of  the  ancient  King  Emrik,  which  Bruin  thought 
to  wear.  In  the  second  is  the  crown  of  Emrik's  queen — 
a  thing  of  wonder,  flashing  with  splendid  gems ;  and  in  the 
third  is  the  suit  of  golden  armour  Emrik  wore.  Beneath 
these  three  vases  lies  the  rest  of  the  treasure — chest  after 
chest  of  golden  coins,  ropes  of  pearls,  necklaces  of  diamonds 
and  rubies,  so  many  gems  that  I  cannot  describe  them  all. 
If  your  Majesty  will  send  trusty  messengers  to  Krekelput, 
they  can  easily  prove  the  truth  of  what  I  say  !  ' 

During  this  recital  the  King  had  raised  himself  from  his 
throne  in  his  excitement,  and  now  he  turned  to  the  assembled 
animals  and  cried :  "  Which  of  you  knows  Krekelput  ?  Who 
will  go  and  fetch  the  treasure  ?  ' 

Nobody  answered,  for,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  not  a  soul 
present  had  ever  heard  of  Krekelput  before  Reynard 
mentioned  the  name. 

"  Come,  come,"  cried  the  King.  "  One  of  you  must 
know  the  wood  of  Husterloo  and  the  pool  of  which  Reynard 
speaks  !  ' 

'  Be  patient  with  them,  Sire,"  said  Reynard.  "  They  are 
afraid  to  speak.  The  Hare  knows  the  place  very  well. 
Do  you  not  remember,  friend,"  said  he,  fixing  the  Hare 
with  a  menacing  glance,  "  you  took  refuge  in  the  wood  of 
Husterloo  one  day  when  the  hounds  were  after  you  !  ' 

"  I  cannot  remember  very  well,"  stammered  the  Hare, 

*  Snail's  well. 


THEY  WALKED  IN  SILENCE 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

who  was  nearly  out  of  his  senses  with  fright.  "  Perhaps  I 
did  !  " 

'  Of  course  you  did,"  said  Reynard,  "  and  you  could 
find  the  place  again,  no  doubt  ?  ' 

*  I  am  not  sure,"  said  the  poor  Hare,  who  indeed  had 
never  heard  of  Husterloo. 

"  A  truce  to  all  this  !  "  cried  the  King  impatiently.  "  If 
you  cannot  remember,  Reynard  shall  go  with  you  to  refresh 
your  memory,  and  Bellyn  the  Ram  shall  accompany  the 
two  of  you  to  see  that  you  do  not  run  away.  Be  off  with 
you  at  once,  and  bring  back  the  treasure  as  quickly  as  you 
can,  for  my  eyes  are  aching  for  a  sight  of  Emrik's  crown 
and  the  suit  of  golden  armour  Emrik  wore." 

"  And  forget  not  the  ropes  of  pearls  and  the  jewelled 
coronet !  "  cried  the  Queen.  "  Bring  those  first ! ' 

*  I  will  bring  everything  in  good  time,"  said  Reynard  ; 
1  trust  me  for  that.    But  before  I  set  out  on  this  journey 

I  must  go  to  Rome  to  ask  absolution  of  the  Pope  for  all  the 
sins  I  have  committed.  Suffer  me  first  of  all  to  go  on  this 
pilgrimage,  O  King,  and,  if  you  will,  send  Bellyn  and  the 
Hare  with  me  to  see  that  I  do  not  escape.  Nothing  is  further 
from  my  thoughts,  but  after  what  has  happened  I  cannot 
expect  your  Majesty  to  trust  my  word,  and  I  am  content 
to  go  in  ward." 

'  Be  it  so  !  "  said  the  King.  "  Set  off  at  once  and  return 
as  soon  as  may  be.  And  now  there  is  another  little  affair 
to  settle !  Where  is  Bruin,  our  would-be  king.  Stand 
forth,  Bruin,  with  your  precious  conspirators,  the  Wolf,  the 
Cat,  and  the  Ape."  But  nobody  answered,  for  seeing  how 
affairs  were  going  all  the  four  had  quietly  slipped  away, 
fearing  to  stay  and  face  the  vengeance  of  the  King. 

Reynard  smiled  maliciously  as  he  put  on  a  pilgrim's 
cloak  and  marched  away  with  Bellyn  and  the  Hare  along  the 
road  that  led  from  the  Court. 

For  several  miles  they  walked  in  silence.  Then  Reynard 
sighed  and  said :  "  Ah,  friends,  how  I  long  to  see  my  dear 
wife  and  children  just  once  more  before  I  go  on  this  long 
78 


THE  TRIAL   OF   REYNARD   THE   FOX 

journey  that  lies  before  us.  Let  us  take  the  road  that  leads 
past  my  castle  of  Malpertuis.  It  is  not  much  out  of  our 
way,  and  we  can  enter  there  and  refresh  ourselves." 

The  Hare  was  too  frightened  to  dispute  the  matter,  and 
Belly n  on  his  part  good-humouredly  agreed,  so  the  three 


REYNARD  SPRANG  AT  HIS  THROAT 

of  them  took  the  road  to  Malpertuis,  and  before  long  came 
to  the  gate  of  Reynard's  castle. 

"  Here  we  are  at  last,  Cousin  Bellyn,"  said  Reynard. 
"  Did  you  ever  see  such  fine  pastures  !  You  must  be  famished 
after  our  long  tramp.  Take  a  rest  a  while  and  eat  some  of 
this  sweet  grass,  while  I  and  the  Hare  go  into  the  house  and 
console  my  wife  for  the  long  separation  that  is  before  her. 
We  shall  not  stay  more  than  a  few  minutes." 

*  Well,  hurry  up,"  said  Bellyn,  who  had  already  begun 
to  graze.  "  I  will  wait  for  you,  but  don't  stay  talking  all 
day  !  ' 

79 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

So  Reynard  and  the  Hare  went  into  the  house,  where 
they  were  met  by  Hermeline,  Reynard's  devoted  spouse. 

*  What,   husband,"   said   she,   "  are  you   back   already  ? 
How  did  things  go  at  Court  ?  ' 

'  Just  as  I  said  they  would,"  answered  Reynard.  "  When 
the  King  heard  my  tale  he  acquitted  me  of  the  charges  that 
had  been  brought  against  me,  and  allowed  me  to  return 
here  in  honour.  The  Wolf,  the  Bear,  and  the  Cat,  who 
were  my  most  powerful  enemies,  have  fled  the  Court,  so 
that,  for  the  time  being,  they  have  escaped  my  vengeance; 
but  I  have  brought  with  me  this  fellow  \vhom  you  see  at 
my  side,  for  he  was  among  the  foremost  of  my  accusers  !  ' 

When  he  heard  these  words  the  poor  Hare  trembled 
with  fright,  and  turned  to  flee,  but  in  a  moment  Reynard 
sprang  at  his  throat.  One  loud  cry  he  gave  for  help,  but 
Bellyn,  peacefully  cropping  the  grass  outside,  did  not  hear, 
and  the  next  moment  the  Hare  was  dead.  Then  Reynard 
and  Hermeline  and  all  the  little  foxes  had  a  splendid  feast, 
and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  nothing  was  left  of  the  Hare's 
carcass  but  the  head. 

While  they  were  still  feasting  there  came  a  loud  knocking 
at  the  door.  It  was  Bellyn,  who,  having  eaten  his  fill,  was 
now  impatient  with  waiting. 

Snatching  up  the  head  of  the  Hare  Reynard  put  it  into 
a  bag,  which  he  carefully  sealed.  Then,  running  to  the 
door,  he  threw  it  open. 

"  You  have  been  a  long  time !  '  grumbled  Bellyn. 
"  Where  is  the  Hare  ?  ' 

*  Oh,  he  is  just  inside,  playing  with  my  little  ones," 
said  Reynard.     *  He's  a  merry  fellow,  that  one,  and  so  fond 
of  children  that  it  is  beautiful  to  watch  him.    Leave  him 
alone  for  a  time.    He'll  be  out  presently.    While  you  are 
waiting,  you  might  run  back  to  the  King  with  this  bag, 
which  he  asked  me  to  send  him.     It  contains  papers  referring 
to  the  conspiracy — papers  which  involve  a  great  many  people 
at  Court,  in  fact  nearly  all  of  the  animals  except  yourself. 
Hurry  off  with  it,  and  give  it  into  the  King's  own  hands, 
80 


YOU  HAVE  MERITED  DEATH  A  HUNDRED  TIMES  " 


THE   TRIAL   OF  REYNARD   THE   FOX 

and,  as  you  value  your  life,  do  not  open  the  bag  upon  the 
road,  or  the  King  will  suspect  that  you  also  are  involved 
and  have  erased  your  name  on  the  way." 

'  Did  the  King  say  I  was  to  take  back  the  papers  ?  ' 
asked  Bellyn. 

'  Of  course  he  did  !  "  answered  Reynard.  '  Send  them 
back  by  my  trusty  Bellyn  ' — those  were  his  very  words, 
and  he  whispered  in  my  ear  that  you  were  the  only  one 
among  the  whole  court  that  he  could  trust.  I  should  not 
be  surprised  if  he  gave  you  a  handsome  reward,  and  perhaps 
made  you  a  peer  of  the  realm  !  ' 

"  Give  me  the  bag  !  "  cried  Bellyn.  "  I'll  take  it  to  the 
King.  I  shall  not  be  long.  Wait  until  I  come  back,  and 
tell  the  Hare  that  he  is  on  no  account  to  set  out  without 


me.': 


'  Never  fear,"  said  Reynard.  *  He'll  not  stir  a  step  out 
of  my  castle — I'll  answer  for  that.  Farewell,  good  Bellyn. 
I  will  be  waiting  here  when  you  return  !  ' 

Full  of  pride  at  his  important  mission,  Bellyn  trotted  off 
down  the  road,  bearing  the  bag  very  carefully  with  him, 
and  Reynard,  with  a  spiteful  smile,  stood  and  watched  him 
till  he  was  out  of  sight. 

In  good  time  Bellyn  returned  to  the  Court  and  handed 
to  the  astonished  King  the  bag  which  Reynard  had  sent. 
The  King  broke  the  seal,  and  gazed  inside,  while  the  Queen 
pressed  close  to  him,  peering  over  his  shoulder.  The  next 
moment  he  gave  a  cry  of  horror,  as  he  drew  forth  the  head 
of  the  poor  Hare.  The  Queen  fell  to  the  ground  in 
a  dead  faint,  and  for  a  time  the  King  remained  holding 
the  head  in  his  hands,  gazing  at  it  vacantly.  Then  he  cast 
it  from  him,  and  without  a  word  turned  his  steps  towards 
his  palace,  where  he  immediately  took  to  his  bed,  for  the 
shock  of  the  thing  had  made  him  ill.  Not  for  several  weeks 
afterwards,  when  he  had  somewhat  recovered,  was  he  able 
to  turn  his  thoughts  to  vengeance.  Then  he  gave  orders 
for  a  large  army  to  march  to  Reynard's  castle  of  Malpertuis 
to  raze  it  to  the  ground,  and  bring  back  the  Fox  in  chains. 

F  81 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

The  army  set  out,  but  when  they  arrived  at  Malpertuis 
they  found  the  birds  had  flown.  Reynard  and  Hermeline 
and  all  the  little  foxes  had  left  the  country,  and  were  never 
seen  again. 

Some  people  say  that  they  took  up  their  abode  in  a  distant 
land,  where  Reynard  soon  began  once  more  to  play  his  old 
tricks,  until  the  King  of  that  land  caught  him  one  day  red- 
handed,  and  hanged  him  on  the  nearest  tree  without  giving 
him  a  chance  to  say  a  word.  I  do  not  know  whether  this 
story  is  true,  although  I  hope  it  is.  All  that  I  can  say  for 
certain  is  that  Reynard  and  his  family  were  never  seen  in 
King  Nobel's  dominions  from  that  day  on. 


CALF  AND  GOAT 


THE  MAGIC  CAP 

HERE  was  once  a  poor  countryman,  of  whom 
his  neighbours  said  that  he  had  no  more  wits 
than  he  was  born  with,  and  that  was  not  many. 
He  was,  indeed  a  simple-minded  fellow,  and 
anybody  could  get  the  better  of  him.  One 
day  the  countryman 's  wife  said  to  him : 
;<  Jan,  put  on  your  best  smock  and  your  soundest  clogs, 
and  go  to  the  market  to  try  and  sell  our  calf.  She  is  a 
good  calf  and  you  ought  to  get  at  least  a  hundred  francs 
for  her." 

Away  went  Jan,  along  the  road  to  the  market  town,  with 
the^calf  behind  him.  He  felt  quite  glad  to  be  out  on  this 
fine  spring  day,  and  he  hummed  a  merry  tune  as  he  plodded 
along.  Three  students  who  were  lounging  at  the  door  of  an 
inn  saw  him  pass,  and,  marking  his  air  of  simplicity,  thought 
it  would  be  good  fun  to  play  a  joke  upon  him,  so  one  of  them 
went  up  to  him  and  said : 

83 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

*  Good-morning,  friend  !  How  much  are  you  asking  for 
your  goat  ?  ' 

'  Goat  ?  '  answered  the  peasant  in  surprise.  "  This 
is  not  a  goat,  but  a  calf  !  ' 

1  Indeed  !  "  said  the  student  politely.  "  And  who  told 
you  that  ?  " 

'  It  was  my  wife,"  answered  the  peasant.  "  '  Jan,'  she 
said,  '  go  to  the  market  and  try  to  sell  our  calf/  I  am  sure 
she  said  calf.  I  could  not  make  a  mistake  about  such  a 
thing  !  ' 

'  Your  wife  was  playing  a  joke  on  you,"  said  the  student. 
:<  Anybody  can  see  that  is  a  goat.  If  you  don't  believe  me, 
ask  the  next  person  you  meet  on  the  road."  And  he  went  off, 
laughing. 

Jan  continued  his  walk,  a    little    troubled  in  his  mind, 

and  before  very  long  he  saw  the  second  of  the  students 

coming    towards    him.    "  Stay    a    minute,    sir,"    he    cried. 

'  Do  you  mind  looking  at  this  animal  of  mine  and  telling  me 

what  sort  of  a  creature  it  is  ?  ' 

1  Why,  a  goat,  of  course,"  answered  the  student. 

1  You're  wrong,"  said  the  peasant.  "It's  a  calf.  My 
wife  says  so,  and  she  could  not  be  mistaken  !  ' 

'  Have  it  your  own  way  !  "  replied  the  student,  "  but  if 
you'll  take  my  advice  you  won't  pretend  that  animal  is  a 
calf  when  you  get  to  the  market,  unless  you  want  to  be  hooted 
out  of  the  town  !  ' 

:<  Ah  !  "  said  Jan,  and  he  went  on  his  way,  muttering 
to  himself,  and  casting  many  a  troubled  glance  at  the  innocent 
calf  who  ambled  along  peacefully  behind  him.  '  If  it  is  a 
goat  it  ought  to  have  horns,"  he  said  to  himself.  ;<  And  it 
hasn't  got  any  horns.  But  if  it  is  a  calf  it  will  have  horns 
when  it  grows  to  be  a  cow.  Perhaps  it  is  a  goat-calf.  I 
wonder  whether  goat-calves  have  horns  !  "  And  he  continued 
to  puzzle  his  poor  brains  about  the  matter  until  he  was 
suddenly  interrupted  by  a  shout  from  the  side  of  the  road. 
The  shout  came  from  the  third  student,  who  had  been 
waiting  for  him. 


THE  MAGIC   CAP 

'  Hallo,  you  there  !  "  cried  the  student.    "  How  much 
do  you  want  for  your  goat  ?  ' 

'  Goat  ?     Goat  ?  '     murmured   the   peasant   in   dismay. 

*  Here,  take  the  thing.    If  it's  a  goat,  I  don't  want  it,  for  I 
was  sent  to  market  to  sell  a  calf.    You  may  have  it  for  nothing 

—I'll  make  you  a  present  of  it !  '  And  so  saying,  he  pushed 
the  cord  into  the  student's 
hand.  Then  turning  his 
back  without  another  word, 
he  retraced  his  steps  to 
wards  his  home. 

When  his  wife  heard 
what  had  happened  she  was 
furious .  * '  You  stupid  lout ! ' ' 
she  cried,  "  could  you  not 
see  that  you  were  being 
made  a  fool  of  ?  '  And 
she  called  him  all  the  names 
she  could  lay  her  tongue  to, 
until  the  poor  fellow  blushed 
and  hung  his  head  for 
shame.  Her  anger  did  not 
last  long,  however,  for  she 
was  a  good  woman  and  she 
knew  that  her  husband's 
simplicity  was  not  his  fault,  but  his  misfortune.  Fortunately, 
she  had  quite  enough  wits  for  them  both,  and  instead  of 
wasting  more  time  in  reproaches,  she  set  to  work  to  think 
how  she  might  pay  back  the  practical  jokers  in  their  own 
coin.  It  did  not  take  her  long  to  think  of  a  plan,  and  as 
the  first  step  towards  carrying  it  out,  she  put  on  her  bonnet 
and  went  off  to  the  town,  where  she  called  at  three  inns, 
paying  at  each  of  them  for  a  dinner  for  four  persons,  the 
dinner  to  be  eaten  on  the  next  market  day.  Returning 
home,  she  explained  the  plan  to  her  husband  and  gave  him 
very  exact  instructions  as  to  the  part  he  was  to  play. 

When  the  next  market  day  came  round  Jan  set   off  for 

85 


YOU   WERE   BEING  MADE    A   FOOL  OF 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

the  town,  and  by  the  door  of  the  very  first  inn  on  the  road  he 
met  the  three  students.  They  exchanged  a  sly  smile  when 
they  saw  him,  and  one  of  them  said  :  '  Good  morning,  good 
fellow.  And  how  do  you  find  yourself  to-day  ?  I  notice 
that  you  have  no  goat  with  you  this  time." 

'  Ha,  ha,  ha ! "  laughed  Jan,  "  that  was  a  good  joke  you 
played  on  me,  but  I  bear  you  no  ill-will  for  it.  Come  in 
and  drink  a  glass  of  wine.  I'm  in  funds  this  morning  and 
I'll  willingly  stand  treat." 

The  students  accepted  Jan's  offer  with  enthusiasm,  for 
they  belonged  to  that  class  of  men  who  are  always  thirsty. 
Accordingly  the  four  went  into  the  tavern  ;  and  Jan  called 
for  wine.  When  the  time  came  to  pay  for  it,  he  called  the 
serving-maid,  and  taking  off  his  cap,  spun  it  round  three 
times  on  his  finger.  "  Madam,"  said  he,  "  everything  is 
paid  for,  isn't  it  ?  ' 

1  Yes,  sir,  and  thank  you  very  much,"  answered  the 
serving-maid. 

The  three  students  watched  this  procedure  with  a 
good  deal  of  surprise,  but  Jan  carried  off  the  whole  affair 
as  if  it  were  the  most  natural  thing  in  the  world. 
"  Now,  my  friends,"  said  he,  "  the  doctors  say  it  is  bad  to 
drink  on  an  empty  stomach.  What  do  you  say  to  a  good 
meal  ?  ' 

'*  Excellent,"  cried  the  students. 

'  Very  well  then,  come  along  with  me  to  the  next  inn, 
and  you  shall  have  one." 

Laughing  in  their  sleeves  at  the  peasant's  simplicity,  the 
students  followed.  Arrived  at  the  inn,  Jan  ordered  dinner 
for  four,  and  a  heap  of  good  things  were  put  upon  the  table. 
After  the  repast,  he  called  the  serving-maid  to  him,  took  off 
his  cap  as  before,  and  twirled  it  round  three  times  on  his 
finger.  "  Now  then,"  said  he,  "  everything  is  paid  for,  isn't 
that  so  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  sir,"  answered  the  serving-maid,  "  and  lam 
very  much  obliged  to  you." 

At  this  the  three  students  opened  their  eyes  even  wider 
86 


JAN  AND  THE  THREE  STUDENTS 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

than  before,  but  Jan  took  not  the  slightest  notice  of  their 
astonishment. 

"  What  do  you  say,  friends,"  he  asked,  "  shall  we  go 
on  to  the  town  together  and  wash  the  dinner  down  with  a 
glass  of  ale  apiece  ?  ' 

"  As  many  as  you  please,"  answered  the  students  joyfully, 
and  so  they  followed  Jan  to  the  town,  where  he  entered  a 
third  tavern  and  ordered  drinks  all  round.  Then,  taking 
off  his  cap  once  again,  he  twirled  it  round  three  times  on  his 
finger,  and  said  to  the  innkeeper  :  '  Everything  is  paid  for, 
isn't  it,  my  good  man  ?  ' 

*  Certainly,  sir,"  said  the  innkeeper,  bowing. 

But  this  was  more  than  the  curiosity  of  the  students 
could  stand. 

"  Look  here,  gossip,"  said  one  of  them,  "  how  is  it 
that  you  are  able  to  get  food  and  drink  for  nothing  everywhere 
you  go,  simply  by  twirling  your  cap  in  people's  faces  ?  ' 

"  Oh,  that's  easily  explained,"  answered  Jan,  "  This 
cap  of  mine  is  a  magic  cap,  which  was  left  to  me  by  my 
great-great-grandmother,  who  was  a  witch,  so  I  have  heard 
say.  If  I  twirl  it  on  my  finger,  and  say,  '  Everything  is 
paid  for,' — well,  everything  is  paid  for  !  You  understand 
me?' 

"  Perfectly,"  said  the  student.  "  My  faith,  but  that  is  a 
wonderful  cap — the  very  thing  to  have  when  one  goes  a 
journey  !  Will  you  sell  it  to  me  ?  ' 

'  How  much  will  you  give  me  for  it  ?  "  asked  Jan. 

"  Two  hundred  francs  !  ' 

'  Nonsense  !    Do  you  think  I  am  going  to  brave  my 
wife's  anger  for  a  paltry  two  hundred  francs  ?  ' 

"  Well  then,  three  hundred." 
1  Not  enough  !   My  wife  says  it  is  worth  a  fortune." 

"  Four  hundred." 

Jan  shook  his  head  doubtfully,  and,  seeing  his  hesitation, 
the  student  cried : 

'*  Come  now,  we'll  give  you  five  hundred,  and  not  a  penny 
more.    You'd  better  accept,  or  you'll  lose  your  chance." 
88 


THE  MAGIC   CAP 

"  Well  then,  hand  over  the  money.     I  don't  know  what 
my  wife  will  say,  but  ..." 

"  She'll  give  you  a  kiss  for  making  such  a  splendid  bar 
gain,"  cried  the  student,  pushing  a  bag  of  coins  into  Jan's 
hand  and  snatching  the  magic  cap.  '  Hurry  off  home  as 
fast  as  you  can  to  tell  her  the  good  news  !  '  Then  the  three 
went  away,  laughing,  slap 
ping  each  other  on  the  back 
in  their  joy  at  having  got 
the  better  of  the  simple 
peasant. 

That  afternoon  the  stu 
dents,  eager  to  take  ad 
vantage  of  the  qualities  of 
the  magic  cap,  invited  about 
fifty  of  their  friends  to  a 
splendid  feast  at  the  largest 
inn  in  the  town.  Every 
body  who  was  invited  came, 
as  you  may  imagine,  and 
the  resources  of  the  inn 
keeper  were  taxed  to  the 
utmost  to  supply  the  hungry 
and  thirsty  crowd  with  all 


TWIRLED  THE  CAP  ROUND  THREE  TIMES  ON 
HIS  FINGER 


that  they  wanted.  When 
the  feast  was  ended,  the  student  who  had  Jan's  cap  called 
the  host,  and  twirling  it  three  times  round  his  finger,  said  : 
"  Now,  sir,  everything  is  paid  for,  isn't  it  ?  ' 

'  Paid    for  ?  '     cried    the    innkeeper.      "  What    do    you 
mean  ?     I've  not  seen  the  colour  of  your  money  yet." 

At  this  reply  the  student's  face  fell,  but  one  of  his  com 
panions  snatched  the  cap  from  his  hands.  "  Idiot,"  said  he, 
*  you  twirled  the  cap  the  wrong  way  !  I  was  watching  the 
peasant  carefully,  and  he  twisted  it  like  this."  So  saying, 
he  gave  the  cap  a  twirl  and  said  :  "  Now  then,  my  good  sir, 
I  think  you  will  agree  that  everything  is  paid  for." 

'  I  don't  know  whether  you  are  trying  to  play  a  joke  on 

89 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

me  ?  "  answered  the  innkeeper  grimly,  "  but  your  idea  of 
humour  is  not  mine.  You  had  better  pay  up  at  once,  before 
I  call  the  police  !  ' 

'  Here,  let  me  try/'  cried  the  third ;  and  in  his  turn  he 
twirled  the  cap,  and,  fixing  the  host  with  his  eye,  repeated 
that  everything  was  paid  for. 

At  this  the  innkeeper  flew  into  a  passion,  and  made  such 
a  fuss  that  the  room  was  in  an  uproar.  It  was  only  by  promis 
ing  to  pay  him  at  once  that  the  innkeeper  could  be  quietened 
down,  and  prevented  from  putting  his  threat  of  calling  the 
police  into  execution.  The  banquet  cost  a  good  round  sum, 
and  as  the  three  students  had  no  money  left,  their  invited 
guests  were  obliged  to  subscribe  the  money  between  them, 
which  they  did  with  much  grumbling.  Afterwards  they 
took  their  three  hosts  outside  and  dipped  them  into  the 
horse-trough  to  punish  them  for  their  bad  taste  in  playing 
practical  jokes  on  their  friends. 

And  a  few  miles  away,  in  their  little  cottage,  Jan  and 
his  wife  sat  counting  the  five  hundred  francs  he  had  got  for 
his  greasy  old  cap,  which  indeed  had  not  been  left  him  by 
his  great-great-grandmother,  but  which  was  as  old  and 
ragged  as  though  it  had  ! 


90 


JAN  AND  JANNETTE 


WERE  CARRIED  SAFELY  OVER  TO  THE  OTHER  BANK 


SUGAR-CANDY  HOUSE 

AN  and  Jannette  were  brother  and  sister. 
They  lived  near  a  big  wood,  and  every  day 
they  used  to  go  to  play  there,  fishing  for  stickle 
backs  in  the  streams,  and  making  necklaces  of 
red  berries.  One  day  they  wandered  farther 
from  their  home  than  usual,  and  all  of  a  sudden 
they  came  to  a  brook  crossed  by  a  pretty  red  bridge.  On 
the  other  side  of  the  bridge,  half  hidden  among  the  trees, 
they  espied  the  roofs  of  a  little  pink  cottage,  which,  when  they 
came  closer,  they  found  to  be  built  entirely  of  sugar-candy  ! 
Here  was  a  delightful  find  for  a  little  boy  and  girl  who  loved 
sweetstuff !  They  lost  no  time  in  breaking  off  pieces  of 
the  roof  and  popping  them  into  their  mouths. 

Now  in  that  house  there  lived  an  old  wolf  whose  name 
was  Garon.  He  was  paralysed  in  one  leg,  and  could  not 
run  very  fast,  but  in  all  other  respects  he  was  as  fierce  and 

9' 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

strong  as  he  had  been  in  his  youth.  When  he  heard  Jan 
and  Jannette  breaking  off  bits  of  his  roof  he  growled  out, 
*  Who  is  touching  my  Sugar- Candy  House  ?  '  Then  he 
came  limping  out  to  see  who  it  was,  but  by  that  time  the 
children  were  safely  hidden  in  the  woods. 

*  Who  dares  to  touch  my  Sugar-Candy  House  ?  "  roared 
the  wolf  again. 

Then  Jan  replied  : 

'  It's  the  wind  so  mild, 
It's  the  wind  so  mild. 
That  lovable  child  !  ' 

This  satisfied  the  old  wolf,  and  back  he  went  to  his  house, 
grumbling. 

The  next  day  Jan    and    Jannette    once    again    crossed 

over  the  little  red  bridge,  and  broke  some  more  candy  from 

the  wolf's  house.    Out  came  Garon  again,  bristling  all  over. 

4  Who  is  touching  my  Sugar-Candy  House  ?  "  he  roared. 

And  Jan  and  Jannette  replied  : 

'  It's  the  wind  so  mild, 
It's  the  wind  so  mild, 
That  lovable  child  !  ' 

'  Very  well,"  said  the  wolf,  and  he  went  back  again, 
but  this  time  there  was  a  gleam  of  suspicion  in  his  eye. 

The  next  day  was  stormy,  and  hardly  had  Jan  and 
Jannette  reached  the  Sugar-Candy  House  than  the  wolf 
came  out,  and  surprised  them  in  the  very  act  of  breaking 
a  piece  off  his  window-sill. 

'  Oho  !  "  said  he.  'It  was  the  wind  so  mild,  was  it  ? 
That  lovable  child,  eh  ?  Precious  lovable  children,  I  must 
say  !  Gr-r-r,  I'll  eat  them  up  !  '  And  he  sprang  at  Jan 
and  Jannette,  who  took  to  their  heels  and  ran  off  as  fast 
as  their  legs  could  carry  them.  Garon  pursued  them  at  a 
good  speed  in  spite  of  his  stiff  paw,  and  although  he  never 
gained  upon  them,  yet  he  kept  them  in  sight,  and  refused 
92 


;<  GR-R-R,  I'LL  EAT  THEM  UP  !  " 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

to  give  up  the  chase.  The  children  looked  back  once  or 
twice,  and  saw  that  the  wolf  was  still  following  them,  but 
they  were  not  very  much  afraid,  because  they  were  confident 
of  their  ability  to  outrun  him. 

All  of  a  sudden  they  found  their  way  barred  by  a  river. 
There  was  no  bridge  across  it,  and  the  water  was  very  deep. 
What  were  they  to  do  ?  Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  wolf  ! 

In  the  middle  of  the  river  some  ducks  were  swimming, 
and  Jan  called  out  to  them  :  "  Little  ducks  !  Little  ducks  ! 
Carry  us  over  the  river  on  your  backs,  for  if  you  do  not 
the  wolf  will  get  us  ! ' 

So  the  ducks  came  swimming  up,  and  Jan  and  Jannette 
climbed  each  on  to  the  back  of  one,  and  were  carried  safely 
over  to  the  other  bank. 

Presently  the  wolf,  in  his  turn,  came  to  the  river.  He 
had  seen  how  the  children  had  managed  to  cross,  and  he 
roared  out  at  the  ducks  in  a  terrible  voice,  u  Come  and 
carry  me  over,  or  I'll  eat  you  all  up  !  ' 

"  Very  well,"  answered  the  ducks,  and  they  swam  to 
the  bank,  and  Garon  balanced  himself  on  four  of  them, 
one  paw  on  the  back  of  each.  But  they  had  no  intention 
of  carrying  the  wicked  old  wolf  to  the  other  side,  for  they 
did  not  love  him  or  any  of  his  tribe,  and,  moreover,  they 
objected  to  his  impolite  way  of  asking  a  favour.  So,  at  a 
given  signal  from  the  leader,  all  the  ducks  dived  in  mid 
stream,  and  left  old  Garon  struggling  in  the  water.  Three 
times  he  went  down  and  three  times  he  came  up,  but  the 
fourth  time  he  sank  never  to  rise  any  more. 

That  was  the  end  of  old  Garon,  and  a  good  job,  too,  say  I. 
I  don't  know  what  became  of  his  Sugar-Candy  House,  but 
I  dare  say,  if  you  could  find  the  wood,  and  the  sun  had 
not  melted  the  candy,  or  the  rain  washed  it  away,  you  might 
break  a  bit  of  it  off  for  yourselves. 


JACO  PETER  AND  HIS  FRIEND 


POOR  PETER 

HERE  was  once  a  man  named  Jaco  Peter  who  was 
so  poor  that  he  had  not  two  sous  to  rub  together. 
His  clothes  were  rags,  his  boots  were  shocking, 
and  as  for  his  house,  it  was  nothing  but  a 
miserable  hovel  hardly  fit  for  a  dog.  The  only 
friend  poor  Peter  had  in  the  world  was  a  big 
fox  who  was  called  Reynard  the  Red  because  of  the  colour 
of  his  hide. 

One  day  as  Poor  Peter  was  walking  along  the  road  looking 
out  for  stray  scraps  of  food  which  he  could  pick  up  for  his 
dinner,  whom  should  he  meet  but  Reynard,  who  was  going 
off  to  spy  round  a  farmhouse  where,  he  had  been  told,  there 
were  some  fine  fat  chickens. 

*  How  now,  Peter,"  said  Reynard,  "  you  look  very  miser 
able  to-day  !    What  is  the  matter  ?  v 

"  I  have  fallen  on  bad  luck,"  answered  Peter  gloomily. 
*  I  have  found  nothing  to-day  but  two  cabbage-stalks  and  a 

95 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

half-gnawed  bone,  and  to  make  matters  worse,  the  bone  has 
no  marrow  in  it." 

"  Why  do  you  eat  such  stuff  ?  "  asked  Reynard  disgustedly. 
"  Look  at  me — I  am  just  as  poor  as  you,  yet  I  live  on  the  fat 
of  the  land  !  And  how  do  I  do  it,  Peter  ?  Why,  by  using 
my  wits  !  Cheer  up,  my  friend,  you  shall  be  a  man  of  fortune 
yet,  for  I'll  take  your  case  in  hand  myself  !  ' 

Reynard  was  as  good  as  his  word.  The  same  day  he  called 
at  the  King's  palace  and  asked  if  he  might  borrow  a  bushel 
measure.  Such  an  unusual  request  from  a  fox  caused  some 
amazement  and  the  matter  was  brought  to  the  notice  of  the 
King  himself,  who  sent  for  Reynard  and  asked  him  what  he 
wanted  with  such  a  thing. 

"  The  fact  is,"  answered  Reynard,  "  that  a  friend  of  mine, 
a  certain  Lord  Jaco  Peter,  has  come  by  a  good  deal  of  money, 
and  he  wishes  to  measure  it." 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  King,  "  you  may  take  the  measure, 
but  I  would  like  to  have  it  back  when  you  have  done  with  it, 
if  you  do  not  mind." 

Off  went  Reynard  with  the  bushel  basket,  and  the  same 
night,  having  stuck  a  couple  of  sous  to  the  bottom  of  it  with  a 
bit  of  grease,  he  sent  it  back  with  a  message  to  say  that  it 
was  not  large  enough,  and  might  he  have  another  ?  In 
reply,  the  King  sent  a  two-bushel  measure,  and  after  a  time 
Reynard  sent  this  back  also,  with  a  request  for  a  larger  one 
still.  "  If  I  have  to  measure  the  money  with  a  thing  like 
this,"  said  he,  "  I  shall  be  a  month  over  the  task." 

That  friend  of  yours  must  be  an  enormously  wealthy 
man,"  said  the  King.  "  Let  me  see — what  did  you  say  his 
name  was  ?  Lord  Jaco  Peter  ?  I  do  not  seem  to  remember 
a  lord  of  that  name  in  my  dominions  !  ' 

1  He  is  a  foreign  noble,"  said  Reynard  glibly,  "  who  has 
only  lately  arrived  in  this  country.  He  will  shortly  be  coming 
to  pay  his  respects  to  your  Majesty,  for  it  is  his  intention 
to  ask  for  the  hand  of  the  Princess,  your  daughter,  in 
marriage." 

"  That  is  a  thing  one  must  consider,"  replied  the  King, 
96 


POOR  PETER 

'  but  in  the  meantime  I  will  gladly  give  your  noble  friend  an 
audience." 

Away  went  Reynard  in  high  feather  and  recounted  to 


"  SMEAR  YOURSELF  FROM  HEAD  TO  FOOT  " 

Poor  Peter  all  that  had  happened.  "  The  affair  is  as  good  as 
finished,"  said  he,  "  you  shall  marry  the  Princess  and  sit^at 
the  King's  right  hand  !  " 

Peter  looked  down  at  his  clothes,  which  indeed,  were  too 
well  ventilated  to  be  quite  seemly,  and  made  a  grimace.     ;<  A 

G  97 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

fine  lord  I  shall  look  !  "  said  he,  "  with  my  toes  sticking  out 
of  my  boots  and  holes  in  my  breeches." 

'  Never  mind  about  that,"  Reynard  answered.  "  Just 
leave  everything  to  me,  and  all  be  well." 

The  next  day,  when  the  time  came  for  the  pair  to  set  out 
for  the  palace,  Reynard  said  to  his  friend :  "  Now  pay  great 
attention  to  what  I  have  to  say.  Close  by  the  King's  palace 
there  is  a  big  muddy  puddle  in  the  middle  of  the  road.  When 
you  come  to  that  puddle  I  want  you  to  trip  over  yourself 
and  fall  plump  into  it.  Don't  let  there  be  any  half  measures  ! 
Get  right  into  the  mud — wallow  in  it,  and  smear  yourself 
from  head  to  foot ! ' 

*  But  why  .  .  .  ?  "  asked  Peter. 

"  Never  mind  about  why.    Do  as  I  tell  you  ! " 

Poor  Peter  carried  out  his  directions  to  the  letter.  When 
they  reached  the  puddle  he  pretended  to  slip,  and  fell  souse 
into  it,  covering  himself  with  a  thick  layer  of  mud.  At  sight 
of  the  disaster  Reynard  began  to  cry  out  in  dismay,  and  the 
guards  at  the  King's  palace,  who  had  seen  the  accident,  came 
running  up  to  offer  their  aid. 

'  Did  you  fall  down  ? '  asked  one  of  them  politely. 
Peter  was  wiping  the  mud  out  of  his  mouth  and  could  not 
answer,  but  the  fox  cried :  "  Of  course  he  has  fallen  down, 
oaf !  Do  you  think  he  sat  in  the  puddle  for  amusement. 
Don't  stand  gaping  there,  but  run  to  the  palace  quickly, 
and  borrow  a  change  of  clothes,  for  this  is  Lord  Jaco  Peter 
who  is  on  his  way  to  visit  the  King.  And  look  you,"  he 
added,  as  the  guards  ran  off,  "  see  that  you  bring  some  robes 
worthy  of  my  lord's  great  estate,  or  it  will  be  the  worse  for 
you  ! ' 

Away  went  the  guards,  and  told  the  King's  Chamberlain 
about  the  catastrophe.  A  few  minutes  later  they  returned 
bearing  with  them  a  magnificent  robe  of  cloth-of-gold, 
beautifully  embroidered  and  sewn  with  precious  stones. 
Then  they  led  Peter  to  a  chamber,  where  he  bathed  himself 
and  donned  his  new  finery.  Unfortunately  the  Chamber 
lain  had  forgotten  to  send  any  shoes,  so  there  was  Peter 


POOR  PETER 

with  his  toes  sticking  out  of  his  boots  under  his  magnificent 
gown. 

1  Never  mind,"  said   Reynard,  "  you  must  keep  your 


REYNARD  SEIZED  THE  OPPORTUNITY  TO  WARN  HIS  FRIEND 

feet  out  of  sight,"  and  he  led  him  before  the  King,  who  was 
immensely  taken  with  his  appearance. 

'  Tell  me,"  he  said  to  Reynard,  after  greetings  had  been 
exchanged,  "  why  does  your  friend  keep  staring  at  his  clothes. 
One  would  think  he  was  not  used  to  them  !  ' 

Reynard  smiled.    "  As  a  matter  of  fact,  your  Majesty," 

99 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

he  answered,  "  he  is  not.  This  dress  of  his  came  out  of  your 
Majesty's  wardrobe,  for  he  had  the  ill-fortune  to  spoil  his 
own  on  the  way  here,  by  falling  into  a  puddle.  The  gown  is 
good  enough,  as  it  goes,  of  course  ;  but  my  friend  is  used  to 
something  far  finer.  I  would  wager  a  thousand  crowns  he  is 

thinking  this  very 
moment  that  he  has 
never  been  so  poorly 
clad  before  in  his 
life  !  Is  it  not  so, 
my  lord  ?  "  he  added, 
turning  to  Peter. 

Peter  gave  a  grin 
and  a  nod  of  the  head, 
and  the  affair  passed 
without  further  com 
ment,  but  on  their 
way  in  to  dinner 
Reynard  seized  the 
opportunity  to  warn 
his  friend  against 
further  faults  of  de 
portment.  But,  as 
the  saying  goes,  it  is 
no  use  trying  to  make 
a  silk  purse  out  of  a 
sow's  ear,  and  no 
sooner  were  they  seated  at  table,  and  Peter  saw  the  magnificent 
golden  dishes,  the  delicate  cut  glass,  and  the  fine  candle 
sticks,  than  he  opened  his  eyes  wide,  and  gave  an  exclamation 
of  astonishment. 

"  What  is  the  matter  now  ?  "  asked  the  King,  staring  at 
him. 

"  I  crave  your  Majesty's  pardon,"  said  Reynard.  '  My 
friend  is  a  little  overwhelmed,  for  your  customs  are  new  to 
him.  In  his  own  palace,  you  see,  he  is  used  to  a  certain 
degree  of  luxury — such  a  service  of  plate,  for  instance,  as  this 

100 


AN   EXCLAMATION   OF  ASTONISHMENT 


POOR  PETER 

on  the  table,  would  there  only  be  found  in  the  servant's 
quarters.  Come,  come,  my  lord,"  he  added,  clapping  Peter 
on  the  shoulder,  "  it  will  do  you  good  to  live  the  simple 
life.  Spartan  fare,  my  lord,  Spartan  fare  !  ' 

Peter  rolled  his  eyes  and  grinned  again,  before  falling  to, 
with  a  fairly  good  appetite,  upon  the  rich  food  spread  before 
him. 

"  This  lord  must  certainly  be  of  enormous  wealth," 
thought  the  King.  True,  he  has  certain  curious  tricks  of 
manner,  such  as  supping  his  gravy  with  a  table-knife,  but 
what  does  a  little  thing  like  that  matter  !  In  other  countries, 
other  ways  !  That  is  a  very  good  proverb." 

After  dinner  was  over  Reynard  broached  the  matter  of 
Peter's  marriage  with  the  King's  daughter,  and  the  King 
gave  his  consent.  He  begged  Reynard  and  his  friend  to 
remain  at  the  palace  as  his  guests  until  the  ceremony  should 
take  place,  and  apportioned  to  them  a  magnificent  suite  of 
rooms.  A  week  later  Peter  and  the  Princess  were  married. 
The  poor  man  could  hardly  believe  his  good  luck  as  he  stood 
before  the  altar  dressed  out  in  gorgeous  robes.  All  he 
could  do  was  to  stare  like  one  who  is  dazed,  and  Reynard  had 
to  nudge  him  from  behind  to  get  him  to  make  the  responses. 
After  the  wedding  a  splendid  feast  was  held,  to  which  all  the 
greatest  and  wealthiest  lords  in  the  kingdom  were  invited, 
and  then  the  King's  carriages  arrived  to  conduct  the  happy 
pair  to  Peter's  castle. 

Now  what  was  to  be  done  ?  Peter's  castle  was  a  broken- 
down  hovel  at  the  edge  of  the  forest.  He  shivered  with  fear 
when  he  thought  of  what  the  Princess  would  say  when  she 
saw  it,  with  its  mud  floor,  and  its  furniture  consisting  of  one 
chair  with  no  back,  one  battered  table,  and  a  heap  of  brush 
wood  covered  with  a  ragged  pallet  which  served  as  a  bed. 
Could  Reynard  overcome  this  difficulty  as  he  had  overcome 
all  the  others  ? 

Of  course  he  could,  and  he  did  !  Away  went  the  coaches, 
with  Reynard  sitting  proudly  on  the  box  of  the  foremost,  and 
presently  the  whole  cortege  halted  before  the  gates  of  an 

101 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

enchanted  castle,  which  Reynard  had  borrowed  from  the 
fairies  of  the  forest.  There  Lord  Jaco  Peter  and  his  bride 
lived  for  many  happy  years.  They  had  six  children,  three 
boys  and  three  girls,  and  Reynard  was  the  friend  of 
them  all. 


J.B. 


OH  DEAR  ME,  THAT'S  TWICE  ! " 


THE  PEASANT  AND  HIS  ASS 

HERE  once  lived  a  poor  peasant.  I  do  not  know 
his  name,  but  he  earned  a  living  by  gathering 
dead  wood  in  the  forest,  and  he  had  a  donkey  who 
was  no  bigger  ass  than  himself.  Perhaps  by  this 
you  will  be  able  to  recognize  him. 

One  day  the  peasant  hitched  his  donkey  into 
the  shafts  of  his  little  cart  and  went  off  as  usual  to  the  wood 
for  his  day's  toil.  Arrived  there,  he  tied  the  donkey  to  a 
tree  and  then,  by  way  of  the  cart,  climbed  the  trunk  in  order 
to  break  off  some  dead  branches  which  he  had  noticed  above. 
As  he  sat  there,  legs  astraddle  on  the  branch,  busily  breaking 
away  the  dead  wood,  along  through  the  forest  came  a  lord 
dressed  in  fine  clothes,  with  his  manservant  behind  him. 

"  Hallo !  my  man,"  cried  the  lord,  "  if  you  don't  come 
down  from  that  tree  pretty  soon  you'll  get  a  tumble.    The 


branch  you  are  sitting  on  is  cracked.5 

"  Cracked,  is  it  ?  "   answered  the  peasant. 


Well,  so 
103 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

much  the  worse  for  me."    And  he  went  on  calmly  with 
his  work. 

The  lord  went  away  shrugging  his  shoulders  at  the  peasant's 
stupidity  ;  and,  sure  enough,  before  he  had  gone  very  far, 
crack  !  crack  !  the  branch  broke,  and  down  fell  the  peasant  to 
the  foot  of  the  tree,  giving  himself  a  fine  blow  on  the  nose, 
which  immediately  swelled  almost  to  the  size  of  a  turnip. 

"  My  word/'  muttered  the  peasant,  tenderly  feeling  the 
sore  place,  "  that  man  must  have  been  a  sorcerer  !  He  can 
foretell  the  future  !  He  said  I'd  fall  and  I  certainly  have  fallen! 
I  must  run  after  him  and  ask  him  to  tell  me  something  else. 
This  is  a  chance  not  to  be  missed  ! ' 

So  off  he  ran  as  fast  as  his  bruised  limbs  would  allow,  in 
pursuit  of  the  lord,  and  presently  came  up  with  him.  "Hi, 
sir,  wait  a  minute  !  "  he  cried.  '  You  told  me  the  truth 
about  the  tree.  The  branch  broke  right  enough  and  I  fell 
on  my  nose.  Won't  you  tell  me  something  else  ?  ' 

"  Willingly,"  answered  the  lord,  "  and  I  hope  this  time 
that  you  will  pay  heed  to  what  I  say.  Take  care  not  to  load 
your  ass  too  heavily,  for  if  you  do  so  he  will  bray,  and  if  he 
brays  three  times  running  I  predict  that  you  will  suddenly 
die." 

"  Oh  dear  me  !  "  sighed  the  peasant.  "  I  am  the  most 
unfortunate  of  men.  Each  prediction  about  my  future  seems 
to  be  an  unhappy  one.  Nevertheless,  I  am  very  much 
obliged  to  you,  sir.  Good  day."  And  he  took  off  his  cap 
to  the  lord  and  bowed,  and  lurched  off  back  to  his  tree. 

For  a  long  time  he  worked  busily,  and  found  so  much 
wood  that  his  little  cart  soon  became  full.  Then  he  remem 
bered  what  the  lord  had  told  him  about  loading  his  ass  too 
heavily,  but  he  was  so  avaricious  that  he  could  not  make 
up  his  mind  to  stop.  '  One  more  branch  won't  make  any 
difference,"  he  kept  on  saying  as  he  piled  more  and  more 
wood  into  the  cart.  At  last  the  poor  donkey  could  stand 
no  more  and,  lifting  his  head,  he  uttered  a  loud  "  Hee 
haw  !  ' 

At  this  the  peasant  turned  pale  with  fright.  "  Stop,  stop, 
104 


j 

afWk 

ff 


'  HALLO     MY  MAN,"  CRIED  THE  LORD 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

what  are  you  doing  ?  "  he  cried.  "  Oh,  my  dear  little  ass, 
I  beg  you  not  to  bray  again.  I  will  not  put  another  branch 
into  the  cart.  We  will  go  home  straight  away  and  you  shall 
have  carrots  for  supper ! ' 

So  saying,  he  climbed  to  his  seat  and  shook  the  reins  as 
a  signal  for  departure.  The  donkey  pulled  and  pulled,  but 
not  an  inch  would  the  cart  budge,  although  he  strained  his 
muscles  to  the  utmost.  Finding  all  his  efforts  vain,  he  turned 
his  head  and  once  again  gave  utterance  to  a  loud  bray  of 
protest. 

"  Oh,  dear  me,  that's  twice  !  "  cried  the  peasant,  jumping 
down  from  his  perch.  "  If  he  brays  once  more  I'm  a  dead 
man.  Do  you  hear  that,  little  ass  ?  For  goodness'  sake, 
remain  dumb  until  we  reach  home,  and  I'll  help  you  pull  the 
cart ! '  Freed  of  the  peasant's  weight,  the  load  for  a  time 
was  easier  to  pull,  but  at  the  end  of  another  ten  minutes  the 
weight  began  to  tell  again.  The  ass  stopped  and  brayed 
loudly  for  the  third  time. 

"  That's  finished  it !  "  cried  the  peasant.    "  I  am  dead  !  ' 
And  he  fell  flat  to  the  ground. 

Left  to  himself,  the  ass  wandered  slowly  on,  dragging 
the  load  behind  him.  Soon  he  came  to  the  gates  of  the 
town,  and  the  guard  took  him  and  put  him  into  the  pound. 
After  a  time,  as  nobody  claimed  him,  he  was  sold. 

Meanwhile  the  peasant  lay  where  he  had  fallen.  Presently 
a  carriage  drove  up,  and  the  coachman  was  forced  to  pull  in 
his  horses  because  of  the  body  that  lay  stretched  across  the 
road. 

"  Come,"  he  cried,  thinking  that  the  peasant  was  drunk, 
*  rouse  yourself,  swill- tub  !     Get  up,  unless  you  want  to  be 
run  over  !  ' 

"  I  can't  get  up  !  "  moaned  the  peasant. 

"  Why  not  ?  " 

"  Because  I'm  dead  !  ' 

"  Dead,  are  you  ?  "  cried  the  coachman,  jumping  from 
his  seat  in  anger.  "  Well  I've  something  here  that  will  bring 
you  to  life  again ! "  And  he  took  his  whip  and  laid  on  to  the 
1 06 


THE  PEASANT  AND   HIS  ASS 

peasant  with  such  a  will  that  in  less  than  ten  seconds  the 
fellow  was  capering  about  all  over  the  road.  Having  thus 
effectively  brought  the  dead  man  to  life,  he  remounted  his 
box  and  drove  off  grumbling. 

In  the  roadway  the  peasant  continued  to  dance  about  until 
the  pain  of  his  beating  had  somewhat  subsided.  Then  he 
looked  around,  and  for 
the  first  time  missed  his 
donkey. 

"  Dear,  dear,  dear  !  ' 
he  cried,  '  one  trouble 
after  another  !  When  I 
was  dead  I  wished  I  was 
alive  ;  now  I'm  alive  I 
wish  I  was  dead  again, 
for  I'm  sore  all  over,  and 
I've  lost  my  donkey. 
Whatever  shall  I  do  ?  ' 
And,  groaning  and  grum 
bling,  he  set  off  along  the 
road  in  search  of  his 


beast. 

After  a  time  he  came 


"  i  CAN'T  GET  UP,  BECAUSE  I'M  DEAD  1 ' 


to  the  gates  of  the  town,  where  a  sentry  was  standing  with 
his  pike  on  his  shoulder.  "  Good  morning,  good  man,"  said 
the  peasant.  '  Have  you  seen  my  little  ass  ?  ' 

'  Your  ass  !  "  answered  the  sentry,  smiling.  '  The  only 
ass  that  has  passed  through  these  gates  to-day  is  already 
become  burgomaster  !  ' 

"  What !  Burgomaster  !  "  cried  the  peasant.  '  My  ass 
Burgomaster  !  Tell  me  quickly,  where  does  he  live  ?  I  must 
go  to  him  at  once  !  ' 

Hardly  able  to  control  his  amusement,  the  sentry  pointed 

out  the  way  to  the  Burgomaster's  house,  and  thither  went 

the  peasant  in  all  haste.    Arrived  at  the  door,  he  sounded 

the  great  bell — Darlindindin  ! — and  a  maidservant  appeared. 

'  Is  the  Burgomaster  at  home  ? "  asked  the  peasant.     Yes, 

107 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

he  was  at  home,  and  the  maidservant  led  the  peasant  to  the 
room  where  he  sat  behind  a  big  table  loaded  with  documents. 

*  Good  morning,  Ass  !  "  said  the  peasant,  with  a  grin  of 
delight  that  twisted  his  swollen  and  discoloured  features. 

*  Eh  !  what,  what !  "  stammered  the  Burgomaster,  turning 
purple  with  anger. 

*  I  beg  your  pardon,"  said  the  peasant,  "  I  should  have 
said,  *  Good  morning,  Mr.  Ass,  Esquire/  for  you  have  become 
a  great  man  now,  while  I  am  still  a  poor  woodcutter.    I 
don't  envy  you  your  good  fortune,  I  am  sure,  although  your 
promotion  has  left  me  without  a  donkey.    Since  you  have 
become  such  a  great  lord,  won't  you  give  me  back  the  ten 
florins  you  cost  me,  so  that  I  may  buy  another  ?  ' 

At  this  the  Burgomaster's  rage  exploded.  Leaping  over 
the  table  with  one  bound,  he  seized  the  hapless  peasant  by 
the  collar  of  his  coat,  threw  open  the  door,  and,  with  one 
mighty  kick,  sent  him  sprawling  from  top  to  bottom  of  the 
stairs. 


THE  EAGLE  AND  THE  KINGLET 


THE  KING  OF  THE  BIRDS 

T  one  time  the  birds,  like  the  four-footed 
animals,  were  ruled  over  by  the  lion,  who  is 
the  King  of  the  Beasts,  but  they  grew  dis 
contented  with  his  dominion  and  decided  to 
have  a  king  of  their  own.  It  was  the  eagle's 
idea  :  he  thought  of  it  one  day  when  he  was 
standing  on  the  lofty  crag  by  his  nest,  gazing  out  upon  the 
plain  below,  and  he  saw  the  lion,  no  bigger  than  a  mouse 
in  appearance,  slinking  beside  a  dried-up  stream.  '  Earth- 
bound  creature  !  "  thought  the  eagle  scornfully.  *  Who  are 
you  to  reign  over  us,  who  cleave  the  air  with  wings  and 
fly  in  the  face  of  the  sun  !  He  who  is  lordliest  among 
the  birds  should  rule  the  feathered  creatures,  and  surely  I 
am  he !  ' 

So  thinking,  the  eagle  spread  his  wings  and  soared  high 
into  the  air,  and  then  swooped  suddenly  down  upon  the 
lion,  casting  sand  into  his  eyes  with  a  harsh  scream  of  defiance. 

109 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Having  thus  relieved  his  feelings,  he  sent  messengers  near 
and  far  to  assemble  all  the  birds  that  he  might  unfold  his 
plan  to  them. 

Such  a  scurry  of  wings  as  there  was  when  the  birds 
came  to  answer  the  summons  !  The  sky  was  black  with 
them,  so  that  the  animals  on  the  earth  below,  fearing  a 
dreadful  storm,  took  shelter  in  their  caves  and  holes.  From 
north,  south,  east,  and  west  they  came  ;  over  mountain, 
valley,  and  plain  ;  birds  of  all  sorts  and  sizes,  from  the 
little  humming-bird  to  the  condor  and  the  vulture.  The 
ostrich  left  the  burning  plains  where  he  loves  to  roam,  and 
flapping  his  ridiculous  wing,  for  he  could  not  fly,  raced  to 
the  meeting-place.  All  those  birds  that  dwell  in  the  tropical 
forests,  and  flash  from  tree  to  tree  like  living  jewels  in  the 
green  twilight ;  the  penguins  and  skua-gulls  from  the  icy 
north  ;  the  cormorants  and  shags,  and  all  the  hosts  of  the 
birds  of  the  sea — if  I  were  to  go  on  naming  them  I  should 
fill  every  page  of  this  book  and  never  even  begin  my  story. 
And  as  they  flew  each  uttered  his  own  cry,  so  that  what 
with  the  calling  and  the  screaming,  the  whistling,  warbling, 
chirping,  and  chattering,  the  air  was  filled  with  a  mighty  sound 
that  echoed  to  the  very  ends  of  the  world. 

When  all  the  birds  were  duly  assembled  the  eagle  addressed 
them  thus  :  "  Listen,  brothers,"  said  he,  "I  have  called 
you  together  in  order  that  we  may  choose  a  king,  for  it  is 
not  fitting  that  the  lion,  that  earth-bound  creature,  should 
continue  to  reign  over  the  free  company  of  the  birds.  We 
are  distinguished  from  the  beasts  by  our  power  of  flight,  and 
it  therefore  seems  to  me  that  the  crown  of  sovereignty  should 
be  given  to  the  one  amongst  us  who  possesses  that  power  in 
the  fullest  degree.  What  do  you  say  ?  Shall  we  test  this 
matter,  and  let  him  who  can  fly  nearest  to  the  sun  be  king  ?  " 

A  confused  chorus  of  cries  answered  his  question,  one 
bird  speaking  against  another. 

'  What  is  flight  compared  to  song  ?  "  asked  the  nightingale. 
'  Let  the  sweetest  singer  among  us  reign." 

The  canary  and  the  throstle  and  the  blackcap  all  agreed 
with  the  nightingale,  but  they  were  shouted  down, 
no 


THE  KING  OF  THE  BIRDS 


"  Beauty,  beauty !  " 
cried  the  peacock. 
"  That  is  the  test !  A 
king  should  be  re 
splendent  in  gay 
robes  !  '  And  he 
spread  his  gorgeous 
tail. 

"  Aye,  there  speaks 
wisdom,"  gobbled  the 
turkey,  turning  red  in 
the  face,  and  strutting 
up  and  down.  *  What 
do  you  say,  brother," 
he  asked  the  cock. 
"  Shall  we  arrange  it 
so  ?  " 

'  A  fig  for  gay 
feathers  !  "  cackled  the 
ostrich.  '  Is  our  king 
then  only  to  be  looked 
at,  or  is  he  to  do 
nothing  all  day  but 
chirp  and  twitter  foolish 
songs  ?  As  for  flying, 
I  found  my  wings  of 
so  little  use  that  I  gave 
up  using  them  long 
ago.  My  idea  is  that 
we  should  settle  this 
matter  by  a  running 
race  !  ' 

And  so  the  birds 
went  on  quarrelling 
and  disputing  until  at 
last  the  eagle  called  for 
silence,  and,  address 
ing  the  company  again,  «  is  OUR  KING  THEN  ONLY  TO  BE  LOOKED  AT  ? " 

in 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

insisted  upon  the  adoption  of  his  own  plan.  He  spoke 
sternly  and  menacingly,  and  as  all  the  birds  went  in  fear  of 
his  curved  beak  and  sharp  talons,  no  further  objections  were 
raised. 

It  was  agreed  that  the  trial  should  take  place  at  once, 
and  the  cock  was  chosen  to  give  the  signal  for  the  start. 
Very  proud  of  the  honour,  he  stationed  himself  on  a  little 
grassy  knoll,  and  having  ascertained  that  everybody  was 
ready,  gave  a  loud  and  clarion  call.  There  was  the  sound 
as  of  a  rushing  mighty  wind  as  all  the  birds  sprang  into  the 
air.  Only  the  eagle  remained  in  his  place,  looking  after 
the  others  a  little  contemptuously.  So  confident  did  he 
feel  in  his  ability  to  outfly  them  all,  that  he  allowed  them 
at  least  five  minutes  start.  Then,  very  leisurely,  he  spread 
his  wings  and  soared.  Up,  up,  up  he  went ;  he  overtook 
the  stragglers  on  the  fringe  of  the  crowd,  passed  through  the 
thickest  press,  outdistanced  the  foremost  flyer  of  them  all. 
Still  up  and  up  he  soared,  exalting  in  his  strength  and  power, 
until  the  birds  flying  far  below  were  hidden  by  the  clouds. 
Then  he  hung  for  a  moment,  motionless  on  extended  wings, 
for  he  was  a  little  wearied  by  his  efforts. 

All  of  a  sudden  he  heard,  above  his  head,  a  tiny  twit, 
twit,  twit,  and  looking  up,  saw,  to  his  surprise,  the  golden- 
crested  wren,  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  birds,  flying  merrily 
above  him. 

*  I  have  outdistanced  you.    I  am  king  !     I  am  king  !  ' 
cried  the  wren  in  his  joy. 

*  We  will  see,"  said  the  eagle  grimly ;  and  once  again 
he  beat  his  mighty  wings  and  soared. 

At  the  end  of  a  further  five  minutes,  he  stopped  again, 
only  to  hear,  as  before,  the  wren's  cheerful  twitter  above 
him.  Again  and  again  the  same  thing  happened.  Try  as 
he  might,  the  eagle  could  not  outdistance  the  tiny  bird,  and 
at  last,  worn  out  with  his  exertions,  he  was  obliged  to  give 
up  the  contest,  and  to  descend,  crestfallen,  to  the  earth 
again. 

And  how  did  the  little  wren,  which  is  certainly  not  famed 
112 


BIRDS  GOING  TO  THE  RACE 


**_•*•"  *JP  p  «i*  *  ••  ••  ^ 

3K9K%% 


THE  KING  OF  THE  BIRDS 

for  its  powers  of  flight,  come  to  be  able  to  defeat  the  mighty 
eagle  ?  By  a  very  simple  trick  !  When  the  eagle  started 
on  its  flight  the  wren  was  safely  perched  upon  his  back. 
There  he  clung  until  the  eagle  stopped  flying,  when  it  was 
an  easy  matter  to  rise  from  his  place  and  fly  a  yard  or  two 
higher.  When  the  eagle  began  to  fly  again,  the  wren  again 


THERE  WAS  THE  SOUND  AS  OF  A  RUSHING  MIGHTY  WIND 

took  its  place  on  his  back,  and  this  continued  time  after 
time  until  the  great  bird  was  exhausted. 

Although  nobody  suspected  the  trick  which  the  wren  had 
played,  the  other  birds  were  very  indignant  when  they  heard 
the  wren  declare  that  he  had  won  the  contest.  "  You, 
king  !  "  they  cried.  :<  An  insignificant  thing  like  you  !  It 
would  be  a  disgrace  to  us  if  we  were  to  suffer  it.  We  would 
rather  be  ruled  by  the  lion  !  At  any  rate,  he  had  majesty 
of  deportment  and  dignity.  You  have  neither  grace  nor 
wisdom,  strength  nor  beauty.  Away  with  you  before  we 
tear  you  to  pieces  !  ' 

The  wren  was  as  perky  as  you  please,  and  for  only  answer 
he  flew  to  the  boughs  of  a  tree,  whence  he  looked  down 

113 


H 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

on  them  all  with  his  head  on  one  side,  chirping,  "  I  am  king  ! 
I  am  king.    Bow  down  and  make  obeisance  !  ' 

A  great  cry  of  anger  arose.     *  Kill  him  !    Kill  him  !  ' 
screamed  the  hawk.      '  Tear  him  to  pieces  !  ' 

"  You  will  have  to  catch  him  first !  "  twittered  the  wren, 
and  as  the  hawk  made  a  rush  at  him,  he  popped  into  a  hole 
in  the  trunk  of  a  tree — a  hole  so  small  that  nobody  could 
get  at  him.  From  the  shelter  of  that  safe  retreat  he  con 
tinued  to  gibe  at  the  birds,  issuing  commands,  and  asserting 
that  he  was  their  king. 

What  was  to  be  done  ?  Nobody  could  get  at  the  wren, 
and  yet  all  the  birds  felt  that  he  should  be  punished  for  his 
impudence.  A  consultation  was  held,  and  it  was  finally 
decided  to  set  the  owl  as  a  guard  at  the  mouth  of  his  hole. 
"  Sooner  or  later,"  said  the  eagle,  "  he  will  have  to  come 
out  in  order  to  get  food,  and  then  we  will  have  him.  If, 
however,  he  elects  to  stay  where  he  is,  let  him  ;  either  way 
our  purpose  will  be  served." 

So  the  owl  mounted  guard  by  the  hole  in  the  trunk  of 
the  tree,  and  having  given  him  the  most  careful  instructions 
not  on  any  account  to  let  the  wren  escape,  the  other  birds 
flew  away.  All  that  day  the  owl  remained  vigilant  at  his 
post,  and  though  the  wren  put  his  head  out  of  the  hole  a 
hundred  times,  he  always  found  his  guard  keeping  careful 
watch.  Night  fell,  and  a  great  silence  fell  upon  the  woods, 
but  still  the  owl  kept  awake  for  hour  after  hour,  watching 
with  unwinking  eyes.  At  last,  towards  morning,  his  vigilance 
relaxed  a  little.  His  head  sank  forward  on  his  breast ;  and 
he  fell  fast  asleep.  Hardly  had  his  eyes  closed  than,  rip  ! 
the  wren  darted  out  of  his  hole,  and  the  next  moment  he 
had  vanished  among  the  trees. 

When  the  birds  returned  the  next  morning  they  were 
furious  to  find  that  their  prisoner  had  escaped.  '  Unfaithful 
servant,"  they  cried,  "  you  have  betrayed  your  trust ! ' 
And  they  fell  upon  the  owl  to  put  him  to  death.  With  some 
difficulty  he  managed  to  escape,  but  ever  since  that  time 
the  birds  chase  the  owl  wherever  they  see  him,  for  they  are 
114 


THE  KING  OF  THE  BIRDS 

still  angry  with  him.  To  keep  out  of  their  way  he  has  to 
hide  during  the  day  and  venture  out  only  at  night,  when  all 
the  other  birds  are  fast  asleep. 

As   for   the   golden-crested   wren,   he  is  known   as   the 
Kinglet,  or  little  king,  to  this  day. 


J.6. 


DONATUS 

A  DRUM  FULL  OF  BEES 

CERTAIN  regiment  had  for  its  drummer  an  old 
man  named  Donatus.  He  was  a  good-for- 
nothing  rascal,  who  spent  most  of  his  time  in 
the  tavern  drinking  and  playing  cards,  but  he 
was  an  excellent  drummer  for  all  that,  and  it 
was  a  fine  sight  to  see  him  on  parade  days, 
marching  along  with  the  band,  and  playing  on  his  drum 
with  a  flourish  that  was  the  envy  of  all  the  boys  in 
the  town.  None  of  his  companions  in  the  regiment  liked 
Donatus,  because  of  his  fondness  for  playing  practical  jokes. 
There  was  hardly  one  of  them  whom  at  some  time  or  another 
he  had  not  hoaxed,  and  as  most  of  his  jokes  were  spiteful 
ones,  nobody  pretended  to  be  sorry  when  one  day  the 
drummer  was  found  cheating  at  cards,  and  being  brought 
before  the  Captain,  was  dismissed  from  the  regiment.  It  was 
in  vain  that  he  pleaded  for  mercy,  with  the  tears  running 
down  his  face.  The  Captain  had  forgiven  him  many  times, 
and  was  determined  not  to  do  so  again. 
116 


A  DRUM   FULL   OF  BEES 

"  Well,"  said  Donatus  at  last,  "  if  I  must  go,  I  beg  you, 
Captain,  to  let  me  keep  my  drum.  I  have  played  on  it  since 
I  was  a  lad  of  fourteen,  and  I  know  no  other  trade.  If  you 
take  it  away  from  me,  I  don't  know  how  I  am  going  to  live, 
but  with  it  I  may  perhaps  manage  to  turn  an  honest  penny 
or  two." 

"  Very  well,  you  old  scoundrel,"  answered  the  Captain. 
"  Keep  your  drum  and  take  yourself  off ;  only  be  quick 
about  it,  or  you  shall  be  soundly  thrashed." 

So  away  went  Donatus  with  his  drum  on  his  back,  and 
not  having  any  particular  place  to  go  to,  he  just  took  the  first 
road  that  came,  and  marched  along  it  all  day  until  he  was 
forced  to  rest  because  his  legs  were  so  tired.  Setting  his 
drum  down  in  the  middle  of  the  road  he  sat  upon  it  and  began 
to  wonder  what  he  should  do  for  food  and  a  bed  for  the  night. 
First  of  all  he  turned  out  his  pockets  to  see  what  he  could 
find,  but  there  was  nothing  there  except  two  sous  and  a  pack 
of  very  greasy  playing  cards.  Donatus  put  them  back  again, 
with  a  sigh,  and  fell  again  to  wondering  how  he  was  going 
to  fare. 

Now  the  road  along  which  he  had  been  walking  was 
bordered  by  a  dense  forest,  and  suddenly  Donatus  thought 
that  if  he  were  to  get  among  the  trees  he  could  at  least  find 
shelter.  So  he  shouldered  his  drum  again  and  entered  the 
wood.  Hardly  had  he  done  so  than  he  heard  a  loud  hum 
ming  noise,  and  proceeding  in  the  direction  from  which 
it  came,  he  saw  a  swarm  of  bees  hanging  to  the  branch  of 
a  big  tree. 

"  Here's  fine  fruit !  "  said  he  to  himself,  laughing.     '  I'll 
pluck  them.    They  may  come  in  useful  one  of  these  days  ! 
So  he  took  off  the  top  skin  of  his  drum,  and  having  skilfully 
caused  the  swarm  to  drop  inside  the  instrument,  replaced 
the  skin  and  went  on  his  way. 

Presently  he  came  to  a  little  house  in  the  wood,  and 
knocked  at  the  door  to  ask  for  shelter  for  the  night.  The 
door  was  opened  by  a  peasant  woman  of  comely  appearance, 
but  with  a  very  disagreeable  expression  of  face.  She  looked 

"7 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

the  drummer  up  and  down  very  sourly.    "  Be  off  with  you  !  ' 
she  said,  "  we  want  no  soldiers  here.    We  have  seen  your 
kind  before,  my  man,  and  do  not  like  them."    And  so  saying, 
she  very  rudely  shut  the  door  in  his  face. 

"  Now  what  am  I  to  do  ?  "  thought  Donatus  ruefully. 
"  Night  has  fallen,  and  I  am  too  weary  to  wander  any  farther. 
A  plague  take  that  hard-hearted  vixen,  who  will  not  take  pity 
on  my  misfortunes  ! ' 

Thus  reflecting,  he  cast  his  eye  about  to  look  for  a  corner 
in  which  he  might  rest,  and  suddenly  spied  a  heap  of  faggots 
piled  up  against  the  cottage  wall.  Climbing  to  the  top  of  the 
heap,  he  found  that  it  was  possible  to  reach  the  window  of  the 
attic,  which  fortunately  stood  open,  so  he  lost  no  time  in 
crawling  inside,  where  he  stretched  himself  out  upon  the 
planks  to  sleep. 

Now  the  attic  happened  to  be  directly  above  the  kitchen, 
and  as  there  was  a  knot-hole  in  the  wooden  floor,  the 
drummer  could  see  everything  that  was  going  on  in  the  room 
below.  There  was  the  peasant-woman  busily  preparing  the 
supper,  and  the  fragrant  fumes  which  rose  from  the  viands 
tickled  the  drummer's  nose,  and  made  the  water  run  out  of 
the  corners  of  his  mouth. 

After  a  time  there  was  a  loud  knock  at  the  house  door, 
and  the  woman  hurried  to  open  it,  admitting  a  man  dressed 
in  a  long  cloak.  He  was  the  village  beadle,  and  a  nephew 
of  the  woman's  husband,  but  that  good  man  had  such  a 
hatred  of  beadles  that  he  could  not  bear  to  look  at  one,  and 
his  nephew  never  dared  to  come  to  the  house  while  the 
husband  was  at  home.  His  visits  therefore  were  few  and  far 
between,  but  when  he  did  come  his  aunt  always  feasted  him 
right  royally.  This  time  she  bade  him  welcome  with  great 
tenderness,  helped  him  off  with  his  cloak  and  sat  him  down  at 
the  table,  upon  which  she  placed  a  fine  roast  fowl,  with  a 
gammon  of  bacon  and  a  bottle  of  wine. 

"  Ha,  ha  !  "  cried  the  beadle,  rubbing  his  hands.  "  You 
are  a  famous  hostess,  aunt !  My  walk  has  given  me  an  appe 
tite,  and  I  am  just  in  a  condition  to  do  justice  to  your  good 
118 


A  DRUM   FULL  OF  BEES 

victuals.    Here's  health  ! '     And  he  filled  a  glass  with  wine 
and  drained  it  to  the  dregs. 

"  Gr-r,  you  greedy  fellow !  "  muttered  the  drummer,  who 
was  lying  full  length  in  the  attic  above  with  his  eye  to  the 


THERE  WAS  A  KNOT-HOLE  IN  THE  WOODEN  FLOOR 

knot-hole.  "  I  hope  it  may  choke  you  !  '  And  he  watched 
eagerly  while  the  beadle  began  to  fall  to  upon  the  roast  fowl. 

Suddenly  the  feast  was  interrupted  by  another  loud  knock 
at  the  door. 

"  My  husband  ! '  cried  the  woman  in  great  agitation. 

119 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

"  He  has  come  back  unexpectedly.  If  he  finds  you  here, 
something  terrible  will  happen,  for  he  cannot  bear  the  sight 
of  a  beadle.  Quick  !  jump  into  this  chest  and  pull  down  the 
lid,  while  I  clear  away  all  signs  of  the  supper  !  ' 

The  beadle,  who  was  just  as  frightened  as  his  hostess, 
lost  no  time  in  doing  as  she  bade  him.  He  hopped  into  the 
chest  and  pulled  down  the  lid,  while  she  hurried  to  clear  the 
table.  All  this  time  the  husband  was  thundering  at  the  door, 
very  impatient  at  being  kept  waiting.  When  at  last  his  wife 
let  him  in,  he  flew  into  a  temper  and  began  to  scold  her. 

"  I  am  very  sorry,  good  man,"  she  answered,  "  but  I  did 
not  hear  you  knock,  I  was  hard  at  work  in  the  scullery." 

"  Bring  me  something  to  eat !  "  growled  the  man. 
•  "  Just  as  you  like,"  answered  his  wife.    "  But  if  I  were 
you  I  would  not  sup  so  late — you  know  how  it  always  gives 
you  indigestion.    Wouldn't  it  be  better  to  go  straight  to 
bed  ?  ' 

"  Hold  your  peace,  woman,"  said  her  spouse.  "  I  am 
not  sleepy  !  '  And  he  sat  himself  down  at  the  table. 

Hardly  had  he  done  so  than  there  came  a  loud  knocking 
on  the  floor  of  the  attic  above  his  head. 

"  What  is  that  ?  v  he  cried,  jumping  up.  "Is  there 
somebody  in  the  attic  ?  ' 

"  Not  that  I  know  of,"  answered  his  wife.  "  Nobody 
has  been  here  all  day  except  a  soldier  with  a  most  villainous 
face,  who  came  begging.  I  sent  him  away  with  a  flea  in  his 
ear,  I  assure  you." 

"  Did  you  so  ?  "  said  her  husband.  "  Well,  I  believe  he 
has  managed  to  get  into  the  attic.  I  remember  now  that  I 
forgot  to  fasten  the  window."  Off  he  went  upstairs  to  see, 
and  sure  enough,  there  was  the  drummer,  who  was  not  slow 
in  explaining  his  presence. 

"  Well,  come  along  downstairs  and  warm  yourself,"  said 
the  peasant.  '  My  wife  is  just  about  to  get  my  supper,  and 
I  expect  there  will  be  enough  for  two." 

Nothing  loath,  the  drummer  accompanied  his  host  to  the 
kitchen,  and  sat  down  at  the  table,  paying  no  heed  to  the 
120 


A  DRUM   FULL   OF  BEES 

venomous  glances  which  the  woman  of  the  house  cast  at  him  as 
she  slammed  down  a  loaf  of  black  bread  and  a  bowl  of  milk. 
"  Ho,  ho,"  said  the  drummer  to  himself.    "  There  is 


"  I   DID  NOT   HEAR   YOU   KNOCK 


fowl  for  the  beadle  and  dry  bread  for  the  good  man  and  his 
guest.  Well,  we  shall  see  !  '  And  he  gave  a  kick  with  his 
foot  to  the  drum  which  was  under  the  table. 

"  What  have  you  there  ?  "  asked  the  peasant,  starting  up 
at  the  sound. 


121 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

*  Oh,  that  is  my  oracle,"  answered  the  drummer  coolly. 
"  Your  oracle  !    Does  he,  then,  speak  to  you  ?  " 
'  Certainly,"  answered  the  drummer.    "  He  speaks  to 
me  three  times  a  day." 

"  Faith,"  said  the  peasant,  "  I  should  very  much  like  to 
hear  him." 

So  the  drummer  picked  up  his  drumsticks  and  beat  a 
lively  tattoo  upon  the  drum,  and,  aroused  by  the  noise  and 
vibration,  the  swarm  of  bees  within  began  to  buzz  about  in 
great  commotion. 

"  Wonderful  !  Wonderful  !  '  cried  the  peasant  de 
lightedly,  as  he  listened  to  the  humming.  "  And  do  you 
really  understand  that  language  ?  What  does  the  oracle  say  ?  " 
'  He  says,"  answered  the  peasant,  "  that  there  is  no  need 
for  us  to  drink  sour  milk,  because  there  is  a  bottle  of  wine 
standing  by  the  wall,  just  behind  the  big  chest." 

'  Ha,  ha,  ha  1  that  is  a  good  joke  !  "  roared  the  peasant. 
"  Wine  in  my  house,  indeed !  I  only  wish  it  were  true !  " 

"  Tell  your  wife  to  look  behind  the  chest,  and  I'll  warrant 
you  she  will  find  it." 

Very  unwillingly  the  dame  went  to  the  place  indicated, 
and  came  back  with  the  bottle  of  wine.  She  tried  to  look  as 
surprised  as  her  husband,  but  only  succeeded  in  pulling  a 
very  wry  mouth. 

1  Bring  glasses,  wife  !  "  cried  the  peasant  in  great  good 
humour.  *  We  must  drink  the  health  of  this  famous  oracle. 
Do  you  think  you  can  make  him  speak  again,  friend  ? ' 

"  Certainly,"  said  the  drummer,  beating  another  tattoo 
upon  the  drum.  Once  again  the  bees  began  to  hum  loudly, 
and  he  leant  down,  pretending  to  listen  to  what  they  had  to 
say. 

1  Well  ?    Well  ?  "  cried  the  peasant  impatiently. 
'  He  says  that  if  your  wife  will  look  in  the  cupboard,  she 
will  find  a  roast  fowl  and  a  gammon  of  bacon,  which  we  can 
eat  instead  of  this  dry  bread." 

'  Upon  my  word,  that  is  a  wonderful  oracle  !  "  cried  the 
peasant.     *  Make  haste,  wife,  and  look  in  the  cupboard." 
122 


THE  SWARM  OF  BEES  WITHIN  BEGAN  TO  BUZZ  ABOUT  IN 
GREAT  COMMOTION 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

The  dame  could  not  refuse  to  obey,  so  she  brought  the 
good  things  and  set  them  on  the  table,  but  if  looks  could  have 
killed  anybody  the  drummer  would  have  been  a  dead  man 
that  day.  Little  heed  he  paid  to  her  evil  glances,  however, 
but  applied  himself  to  the  food  with  a  good  appetite.  Before 

very  long,  between 
the  two  of  them, 
there  was  nothing 
left  of  the  chicken 
but  the  bones,  and 
of  the  gammon  but 
the  scrag-end. 

"  Faith,"  said  the 
peasant,  unbuttoning 
his  waistcoat,  "  that 
was  a  better  meal 
than  I  expected  to 
get  this  night.  Has 
your  oracle  any  more 
agreeable  surprises 
for  us,  good  sir.  I 
pray  you,  make  him 
speak  again." 

"  With  all  the  will 
in  the  world,"  an 
swered  the  drummer, 
"  but  this  will  be  the 
last  occasion,  for  he  only  speaks  three  times  a  day."  Taking 
up  his  sticks,  he  played  the  war-march  of  Napoleon  on  the 
drum,  and  the  bees  accompanied  him  as  before  with  their 
loud  humming.  The  peasant  leaned  forward  eagerly  to  listen, 
while  his  wife  stood  by  trembling  with  fear. 

:<  Ah,"  said  the  drummer  at  last,  looking  at  them  both 
with  a  grave  face.  '  This  time  my  oracle  tells  me  of  a  very 
serious  matter.  He  says  that  in  the  big  chest  over  there  a 
big  black  demon  is  hidden  !  ' 

'  What !  What !  "  cried  the  peasant,  jumping  up  from  his 
124 


BEATING   ANOTHER  TATTOO   UPON  THE  DRUM 


A  DRUM   FULL   OF   BEES 

chair  as  though  he  had  been  stung.     "  A  demon,  did  you 
say  ? ' 

"  Precisely,"  answered  the  drummer.      *  But    don't    be 


THE  BEADLE,  TOO,  STUMBLED  AND  FELL 

alarmed.    I  will  get  rid  of  him  for  you.    Open  the  door  and 
the  windows  and  then  place  yourself  here,  by  my  side." 

The  peasant  made  haste  to  do  what  he  was  told,  and 
marching  boldly  up  to  the  chest,  the  drummer  seized  the 
heavy  lid  and  threw  it  open.  Immediately  the  beadle,  who 
had  heard  everything  and  was  not  a  little  afraid  of  his  own 

125 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

skin,  jumped  up,  his  figure  entirely  covered  with  the  folds  of 
his  black  mantle,  and  ran  for  the  door.  So  sudden  was  his 
appearance,  and  so  hasty  his  flight,  that  he  ran  with  full  force 
into  the  peasant,  who  had  no  time  to  get  out  of  his  way, 
and  knocked  that  worthy  man  flying  head  over  heels.  The 
beadle,  too,  stumbled  and  fell,  but  quickly  recovering  him 
self,  made  blindly  for  the  door,  fell  over  the  folds  of  his  cloak, 
and  tumbled  head  foremost  into  the  ditch  by  the  side  of  the 
road.  There  was  a  sudden  splashing  sound,  a  muffled  mur 
mur,  and  then  silence. 

"  Poof !  "  said  the  peasant,  when  he  had  picked  himself 
up  and  rubbed  his  limbs.  "  That  was  a^  narrow  escape  ! 
I  saw  the  demon  quite  plainly — he  was  all  black,  with  fiery 
eyes,  and  a  forked  tail !  Thank  heaven  that  your  oracle 
warned  us,  good  sir,  or  he  would  have  devoured  us  as  we 
slept ! ' 

The  next  morning,  as  the  drummer  and  the  peasant  sat 
at  breakfast,  the  latter  said  : 

*  Will  you  sell  me  that  oracle  of  yours,  drummer  ? ' 
'  TJiat  depends,"  answered  his  guest.      '  You  know  it 
is  worth  a  great  deal  of  money." 

"  I  will  give  you  a  hundred  crowns,"  said  the  peasant, 
"  and  that  is  all  I  have  in  the  world." 

'  Very  well,"  said  the  drummer.  *  It  is  little  enough  for 
such  a  wonderful  oracle  as  this  is,  but  I  have  taken  a  fancy 
to  you,  and  I  cannot  refuse.  Give  me  the  money."  So  the 
bargain  was  concluded.  Donatus  received  the  hundred 
crowns,  and  in  return  handed  over  the  drum.  Then  he  bade 
farewell  to  his  host  and  was  just  going  out  of  the  door  when 
the  latter  called  after  him  :  "  Stay  a  moment — I  have  just 
thought  of  something.  How  am  I  to  understand  the  language 
which  the  oracle  speaks  ? ' 

"  Oh,  that  is  easy  enough,"  answered  Donatus.  "  Listen 
while  I  tell  you  what  to  do.  At  ten  o'clock,  precisely,  not  a 
minute  before  or  a  minute  afterwards,  go  and  plant  your 
wife  in  the  ground  up  to  her  armpits,  then  smear  her  face  and 
shoulders  with  honey.  That  done,  take  the  oracle  with  you 
126 


A   DRUM   FULL   OF   BEES 

into  the  attic  where  you  found  me,  and  having  first  bandaged 
your  eyes,  remove  the  top  skin  of  the  drum.  Wait  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  ;  then  replace  the  skin,  and  take  the 
drum  with  you  to  the  place  where  you  left  your  wife.  In 
that  very  moment  the  meaning  of  the  oracle's  language  will 
be  revealed  to  you,  and  you 
will  know  as  much  as  I 
know  myself !  ' 

"  Many  thanks  !  "  cried 
the  peasant  delightedly. 
"  Good  day  to  you,  soldier, 
and  good  luck  !  ' 

"  And  to  you  !  '  an 
swered  the  drummer,  and 
he  went  away  laughing  up 
his  sleeve  at  the  fellow's 
simplicity. 

About  a  mile  farther 
along  the  road  he  saw  a  man 
working  in  the  fields,  and 
went  up  to  him. 

"  If  you  like,  gossip," 
said  he,  "  I'll  do  a  bit  of 
that  digging  for  you." 

"With  all  my  heart," 
answered  the  labourer, 
giving  up  his  spade. 

"Very  well,  but  let  us 
change  clothes,  for  I  do  not 
wish  to  soil  my  uniform. 
Here  is  a  crown  for  you.  Go  to  the  inn  and  buy  yourself 
a  glass  of  wine.  When  you  return  you  will  be  surprised 
to  see  how  much  I  have  done." 

The  exchange  was  made  and  the  labourer  departed.  Less 
than  half  an  hour  afterwards  the  sound  of  hoofs  was  heard 
on  the  road,  and  looking  up,  the  drummer  saw  his  late  host, 
mounted  on  horseback,  spurring  furiously  towards  him.  The 

127 


HE  HAD  FAITHFULLY  CARRIED  OUT  ALL 
HIS  INSTRUCTIONS 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

man's  face  was  purple  with  fury  and  he  was  muttering  threats 
as  to  what  he  would  do  to  the  drummer  when  he  caught  him. 
He  had  faithfully  carried  out  all  his  instructions,  and  had 
truly  enough  learnt  the  meaning  of  the  humming  noise 
within  the  drum.  So  had  his  wife  ;  for  when  he  went  to  her 

in  the  garden,  he  found  her 
with  her  face  and  shoulders 
black  with  bees  ! 

Abreast  of  the  place 
where  the  drummer  was 
working  the  peasant  reined 
in  his  horse,  and  cried  out, 
'  Hallo,  you  there.  Have 
you  seen  a  soldier  pass  by 
this  way  ? ' 

'  A     man,     master  ?  ' 
mumbled  the  drummer. 

*  I  said  a  soldier,  you 
stupid  oaf !  A  man  in  a 
red  coat  with  a  most  villain 
ous  face.  Have  you  seen 
him,  I  say  ?  ' 

"  Why,  yes,"  the  drum 
mer  answered.  "  He  went 
past  here  about  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  ago,  and  made  his 
way  into  the  wood  yonder. 
You'll  never  find  him,  mas 
ter  !'  he  added,  with  a 
grin. 

;<  And  why  won't  I  ?  " 

1  Because  he's  gone  by  a  secret  way.  I  saw  the  road  he 
took,  and  I  know  how  he  means  to  go,  but  even  if  I  were  to 
show  you  the  way,  you  would  never  overtake  him,  for  you 
would  lose  yourself  in  the  wood." 

1  I'll  give  you  a  crown  if  you'll  help  me  to  find  the  rascal," 
cried  the  peasant. 
128 


IT  WAS  THE  LABOURER  DRESSED  IN  THE 
DRUMMER'S  CLOTHES 


A  DRUM   FULL  OF  BEES 

'  A  crown  !  Come  now,  that's  high  pay.  You  must 
want  him  very  badly  ! ' 

*  I  do  indeed,  and  I'll  break  every  bone  in  his  body  when 
I  catch  him." 

*  Here,  lend  me  your  horse,  master,"  said  the  drummer. 
'  I'll  catch  him  for  you,  and  not  for  a  crown  neither,  but  for 

nothing.     I'd  like  to  see  him  get  a  good  thrashing,  for  he 
called  me  names  as  he  passed  by." 

4  But  can  you  ride  ?  "  asked  the  peasant. 

*  Can  a  duck  swim  ?  "  answered  the  drummer  scornfully. 
"  Dismount  quickly  or  the  scoundrel  will  get  away.    Wait 
here  for  me,"  he  added,  as  he  rode  off,  "I'll  be  back  in  less 
than  half  an  hour."    Off  he  went  at  a  gallop,  smiling  to  him 
self.     '  First  of  all  a  hundred  crowns,  and  now  a  fine  steed," 
thought  he.     '  Come  Donatus,  your  luck  is  standing  you 
in  good  stead.    It's  odds  but  you'll  win  through  yet ! '     He 
reached  the  wood,  entered  it,  and  the  peasant  waiting  by  the 
roadside,  heard  the  sound  of  his  horse's  hoofs  grow  fainter 
and  fainter  until  at  last  they  died  away. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  passed,  half  an  hour,  an  hour,  but 
the  labourer  did  not  return.  The  peasant,  fuming  with 
impatience,  strode  up  and  down  the  road,  slashing  at  the 
grass  and  bushes  with  his  stick.  Suddenly  he  heard  foot 
steps,  and  saw  a  man  in  a  red  coat  approaching  It  was  the 
labourer  dressed  in  the  drummer's  clothes,  who  had  drunk, 
not  one,  but  several  glasses  of  wine,  and  was  now  returning 
very  pleased  with  himself  and  all  the  world.  As  he  came  he 
trilled  out  a  merry  song. 

[  You  knave  !  You  villain  !  "  cried  the  peasant,  throwing 
himself  upon  him.  u  Where  are  my  hundred  crowns  ? 
What !  you  would  teach  me  the  language  of  the  bees,  would 
you? — and  my  poor  wife  is  stung  all  over,  and  cannot  see 
out  of  her  eyes.  Rascal !  Scoundrel !  Oh,  you  scum  !  Take 
that,  and  that,  and  that !  '  And  with  each  word,  he  lifted 
his  heavy  stick  and  brought  it  down  heavily  upon  the 
shoulders  of  the  unfortunate  labourer. 

*  Here,  hold  hard,  master  !  "  cried  the  man,  twisting  and 

i  129 


turning  to  get  away.  "  What's  the  meaning  of  this  ?  I'll 
have  the  law  on  you  if  you  don't  leave  me  alone  !  Ouch, 
give  over  I  tell  you  !  What  do  I  know  about  your  hundred 
crowns  or  your  wife  ?  " 

'  What !  "  cried  the  peasant,  laying  on  harder  than  before. 
"  Do  you  add  lying  to  your  other  crimes  ?  You  will  tell  me 
next  you  have  never  seen  a  drum  ! '  And  with  one  last 
mighty  cut  he  stretched  the  unfortunate  fellow  at  his  feet. 
Then,  for  the  first  time,  he  had  a  full  view  of  his  face,  and 
saw  that  he  was  not  the  man  he  took  him  for. 

*  Was  there  ever  such  an  unlucky  man  in  all  the  world 
as  I  ? "  he  moaned,  as  he  turned  wearily  homeward,  pursued 
by  the  curses  and  threats  of  the  man  he  had  beaten.  '  First 
I  lose  a  hundred  crowns,  and  then  the  love  of  my  wife,  who 
will  never  forgive  me  her  injuries ;  and  now,  into  the  bargain, 
I  have  lost  my  horse  !  God  forgive  that  drummer,  and  pro 
tect  him  if  ever  he  falls  into  my  hands  !  ' 

I  wish  I  could  tell  you  that  the  unlucky  peasant's  desire 
was  fulfilled,  and  that  the  drummer  met  with  his  deserts. 
Unhappily  my  story  ends  here,  and  I  do  not  know  for  certain 
what  happened  to  him,  but  people  do  say  that  he  never 
came  out  of  the  wood,  but  rode  straight  into  a  marsh  and  was 
drowned.  If  this  is  true,  I  am  sure  that  nobody  will  be  sorry  ! 


J-B. 


WHEN  THE  FIFTY  ROOKS  BEGAN  TO  FLY  HE  COULD  NOT  GET  FREE 


THE  DRUNKEN  ROOKS 

T  was  the  middle  of  winter  and  the  ground  was 
covered  with  snow.  Along  the  high  road  came 
Mynheer  Van  Ash,  the  well-known  merchant  of 
Alost,  driving  to  the  town  with  two  immense  casks 
of  the  liquor  known  as  Hollands,  in  which  he  traded. 
All  unknown  to  the  merchant,  one  of  the  casks  had 
a  hole  in  it,  and  as  he  drove  along  the  liquor  leaked  out,  and 
sank  into  the  snow. 

In  a  field  close  by  the  roadside  were  a  flock  of  fifty  rooks, 
who  were  eagerly  turning  up  the  snow  and  pecking  at  the 
ground  beneath  in  search  of  food.  Attracted  by  the  strong 
and  heady  smell  of  the  spilt  liquor,  they  flew  across  to  in 
vestigate,  and  having  tasted  some  of  the  gin-sodden  snow, 
liked  it  so  well  that  they  followed  in  the  train  of  the  cart, 
eating  more  and  more  of  it,  until  at  last  they  were  so  drunk 

131 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

that  they  could  hardly  stand  on  their  feet.  Away  they  went 
to  the  fields  again,  and  very  soon  afterwards  the  whole  flock 
of  them  was  fast  asleep. 

Presently,  Little  Pol,  a  peasant  who  worked  in  the  neigh 
bourhood,  happened  to  cross  the  field  on  his  way  homeward, 
and  saw  the  crows  lying  stiff  and  silent  on  the  snow. 

"Ah!"  said  he  to  himself.  "Here  is  a  funny  sight! 
Fifty  crows  frozen  to  death  with  the  cold.  *  I'll  take  them 
home  with  me  and  pluck  them.  Rook-pie  is  excellent  eating, 
and  such  a  find  is  welcome  these  hard  times  !  '  So,  taking  a 
cord  from  his  pocket,  he  set  to  work  to  gather  up  all  the 
rooks,  and  tie  them  together  by  the  legs.  This  done,  he 
proceeded  on  his  way,  dragging  the  rooks  behind  him. 

The  roughness  of  the  motion  and  the  friction  of  the 
snow  very  soon  aroused  the  rooks  from  their  slumber.  They 
all  woke  up,  and  finding  their  legs  tied,  began  to  flap  their 
wings  together  with  admirable  precision.  Unfortunately  for 
Little  Pol,  he  had  taken  the  precaution  of  fastening  the 
cord  to  the  belt  round  his  middle,  so  when  the  fifty  rooks 
began  to  fly  he  could  not  get  free,  and  found  himself  being 
lifted  into  the  air. 

Up  went  the  fifty  rooks  cawing  and  crying,  and  up  too  went 
Little  Pol,  calling  in  vain  for  help.  They  reached  the  clouds ; 
they  penetrated  the  clouds  ;  they  disappeared  from  sight. 

And  since  that  day  not  a  sign  has  ever  been  seen  either 
of  the  fifty  rooks  or  of  Little  Pol. 


THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  BIRDS  AND  BEASTS 


FIGHTING 


THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  BIRDS 
AND  BEASTS 

NE  day  as  Bruin  the  Bear  and  Isengrim  the  Wolf 
were  taking  a  walk  in  the  woods  they  came  to  a 
big    elm-tree    with    a    hollow    trunk.     Peering 
within  in  the  hope  of  rinding  something  to  eat 
they    espied    a    little    nest    supported    by   two 
notches  in  the  bark.     It  was    the    tiniest    and 
neatest  little  house  one  could  wish  to  see,  made  of  fresh  green 
moss,  with  a  small  opening  in  the  middle  for  a  door,  and  was, 
in  fact,  the  home  of  a  little  bird  called  the   Golden-crested 
Wren.    Now  among  the  country  people  the  golden-crested 
wren  is  often  known  by  the  name  of  the  Kinglet,  and  being 
aware  of  this,  Isengrim  saw  a  chance  of  playing  a  joke  upon 
his    companion.     *  Look    at    this    nest,    Bruin,"    said    he. 
1  What  would  you  say  if  I  told  you  it  was  a  King's  palace  ?  ' 
'  That    a    King's    palace ! '     laughed   Bruin  scornfully. 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

"  A  handful  of  moss  in  a  hole  !  Why,  with  one  tap  of  my 
paw  I  could  smash  it  to  fragments  !  ' 

"  I  should  not  advise  you  to  do  any  such  thing,"  said 
Isengrim.  "  The  King  who  lives  in  that  palace  is  much  more 
powerful  than  you  think,  and  unless  you  are  looking  for 
trouble  it  would  be  best  to  leave  his  home  alone." 

"  What !  "  cried  Bruin,  in  a  rage.  "  Am  I  to  be  defied  by 
a  miserable  little  fowl  in  my  own  forest  ?  That  for  your 
King  ! '  And  with  one  sweep  of  his  paw,  he  reduced  the 
nest  to  a  shapeless  heap  of  moss.  "  Now  let  him  revenge 
himself  if  he  can,"  he  roared.  "  I  hereby  declare  war  upon 
him  and  upon  all  his  tribe.  Fur  against  feather  !  The  four- 
legged  animals  against  those  that  go  on  wings.  We  will 
put  this  matter  to  the  test ! ' 

When  the  Kinglet  came  home  and  found  his  nest  destroyed 
he  danced  and  chattered  with  anger.  Isengrim  lost  no  time 
in  letting  him  know  who  was  responsible  for  the  mischief, 
and  took  a  spiteful  joy  in  telling  him  of  the  Bear's  challenge. 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  little  wren.  "  Kinglet  is  my  name, 
and  King  shall  be  my  nature.  I  will  call  all  the  winged 
creatures  together  and  we  will  settle  the  matter  by  the  test  of 


arms." 


During  the  next  two  or  three  weeks  there  was  a  great 
coming  and  going  in  the  forest  as  the  two  armies  assembled. 
The  air  was  full  of  the  whirl  and  rustle  of  wings.  From  the 
nests  under  sunny  banks  came  the  wasps  in  thousands,  each 
with  his  shining  cuirass  of  black  and  yellow,  and  his  deadly 
sting.  The  gadfly  came  too,  and  the  tiny  gnat,  and 
the  mosquito  from  the  stagnant  pools,  with  insects  of  every 
other  sort  and  kind — more  than  one  could  count  in  a  day. 
From  his  eyrie  on  the  mountain  crags  the  lordly  eagle  came 
swooping  to  take  his  place  beside  the  nightingale  and  the 
sparrow.  In  that  hour  of  need  all  rivalries  were  forgotten  ; 
the  falcon  and  the  hawk  took  their  place  in  the  ranks  with  the 
thrush  and  the  robin. 

The  Bear,  on  his  side,  was  not  idle.  Swift-footed 
messengers  were  sent  to  every  part  of  the  land  to  summon 
'34 


BATTLE  OF  THE  BIRDS  AND  BEASTS 

the  four-legged  animals  to  arms.  Slinking  through  the  under 
growth  came  Isengrim's  kin,  the  grey  wolves,  with  lean  flanks 
and  fierce  eyes  shining.  Reynard  brought  his  troop  of  foxes. 


THE  KINGLET  WARNED  HIM  TO  BE  VERY  CAREFUL  NOT  TO  BUZZ 

Crashing  through  the  trees  came  the  mighty  elephants, 
waving  their  trunks  and  trumpeting  defiance  to  the  foe.  Out 
of  the  mud  of  river-beds,  from  the  grassy  plains,  and  the 
densest  thickets  of  the  forest,  the  animals  came  flocking — 
lions,  tigers,  camels,  bulls,  horses — if  I  were  to  name  them 

135 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

all  I  should  fill  this  book  with  their  names.  Never  had  so 
many  animals  been  brought  together  since  the  days  of  Noah's 
Ark 

When  everything  was  ready,  the  Kinglet,  who  was  a 
prudent  leader,  sent  out  a  spy  to  try  to  gain  information 
about  the  enemy's  plans.  For  this  purpose  he  chose  the 
mosquito,  who,  as  you  may  imagine,  was  neither  easily  seen 
nor  easily  caught,  particularly  as  the  Kinglet  warned  him  to 
be  very  careful  not  to  buzz.  Under  cover  of  the  darkness  he 
flew  to  the  Bear's  camp,  and  succeeded  in  discovering  the 
headquarters  of  the  general  staff,  where  the  leaders  of  the 
animal  army  were  conferring.  Just  as  the  mosquito  arrived, 
the  Bear  and  the  Fox  were  speaking  together. 

"So  it  is  settled,"  the  Bear  was  saying.  "  Our  great 
offensive  will  begin  to-morrow.  Each  of  you  knows  what  to 
do,  I  think  ?  We  have  discussed  everything,  and  nothing 
remains  to  do,  but  to  press  forward  to  a  glorious  victory." 

'  You  are  right,  my  lord,"  said  Reynard,  "  but  there  is 
just  one  thing  you  have  forgotten.  How  are  we  to  know 
when  the  victory  is  won  ?  We  must  have  a  standard- 
bearer." 

'  Of  course,"  answered  the  Bear,  "  we  must  have  a 
standard-bearer.  I  was  just  going  to  say  so.  Who  shall  it 
be?" 

1  With  all  respect,  my  lord,"  answered  Reynard,  "fl 
propose  that  it  should  be  I.  My  beautiful  bushy  tail  will 
serve  as  a  battle-flag.  I  will  walk  at  the  head  of  the  army  and 
hold  my  tail  straight  up  in  the  air,  as  stiff  as  a  poker.  So 
long  as  I  keep  it  like  that,  you  will  know  that  all  is  well ;  but 
if  anything  disastrous  should  happen,  I  will  let  it  droop  to 
the  ground,  so  that  our  troops  may  have  ample  warning  to 
take  refuge  in  flight." 

'  Excellent,"  said  Bruin.  "  You  have  heard  what  Rey 
nard  proposes.  Take  notice  that  I  hereby  appoint  him 
standard-bearer  to  our  armies." 

So  it  was  agreed,  and  having  learnt  all  that  he  wished  to 
know,  the  mosquito  flew  back  to  the  Kinglet  with  his  news. 
136 


'vl^p^'-'!^V- 


THE  GREAT  OFFENSIVE  BEGAN 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

The  Kinglet  said  nothing,  but  sent  for  the  wasp,  and  gave 
him  certain  orders. 

At  dawn  the  next  morning  the  great  offensive  began,  and 
from  the  very  beginning  things  went  rather  badly  for  the 
armies  of  the  winged  animals.  At  two  points  of  the  line 
the  Bear  and  the  Tiger  led  dashing  attacks  against  divisions 
commanded  by  the  eagle  and  the  hawk,  and  after  long  and 
fierce  fighting,  forced  them  to  retire.  High  upon  a  knoll 
commanding  the  battlefield,  in  full  view  of  the  troops,  stood 
the  Fox,  with  his  bushy  tail  held  proudly  in  the  air.  As  he 
watched  the  struggle  his  lips  curled  in  a  grin  of  triumph. 

Suddenly  there  was  a  piercing  yell  that  rang  out  clear 
above  the  noise  of  battle.  It  came  from  the  Fox,  who  drooped 
his  tail  to  the  ground,  and  ran,  howling  with  pain,  to  the  rear. 

"  We  are  lost !  We  are  lost !  "  cried  the  animals,  seeing 
the  standard  lowered.  "  Traitors  are  amongst  us !  Fly 
for  your  lives  !  '  From  point  to  point  of  the  swaying  battle- 
line  the  panic  spread,  throwing  the  army  into  hopeless  con 
fusion.  Before  long  the  whole  of  the  Bear's  troops  were  in 
retreat,  and  the  victorious  army  of  the  winged-creatures 
swept  on  and  over  them. 

Late  that  night  Bruin  the  Bear  and  Isengrim  the  Wolf, 
both  of  them  very  bedraggled  and  wearied  with  much 
running,  sat  together  gloomily  in  a  distant  part  of  the  wood. 
Presently  they  saw  Reynard  the  Fox  limping  towards  them, 
and  immediately  they  rose  and  began  to  heap  reproaches 
upon  him. 

"  Traitor !  '  said  Bruin.  "  Why  did  you  lower  the 
standard  ?  In  another  hour  we  should  have  won." 

The  Fox  looked  at  them  sulkily.  "  Why  did  I  lower  the 
standard  ?  "  said  he.  "  Because  a  wasp  came  and  stung  me 
right  at  the  root  of  my  tail ! ' 


THE  CAT  RUSHED  OUT  OP  THE  ROOM 


THE  END  OF  THE  WORLD 


NCE  upon  a  time  an  old  woman  sat  spinning  in 
a  room  at  the  top  of  a  high  tower.  Beneath 
her  chair  Chaton,  her  cat,  lay  peacefully  sleep 
ing.  All  of  a  sudden  the  spinning-wheel  jarred 
and  made  a  loud  creaking  sound.  Startled 
out  of  his  sleep,  Chaton  the  Cat  rushed  out  of 
the  room  and  bolted  down  the  stairs  as  though  a  thousand 
demons  were  at  his  heels. 

In  the  yard  he  passed  the  house-dog  who  was  sitting  in 
front  of  his  kennel.  "  Hallo,  Chaton !  '  cried  the  dog. 
"4 Where  are  you  going  to  in  such  a  hurry  ?  ' 

'  I  am  fleeing  the  country,"  answered  Chaton.  "  I  have 
just  heard  the  sounding  of  the  last  trump  !  The  end  of 
the  world  is  at  hand  ! ' 

*  If  that  is  so,"  said  the  dog,  "  I  would  like  to  run  away 
too.  May  I  come  with  you  ?  ' 

139 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

'  Certainly,"  answered  Chaton.  "  Seat  yourself  on  my 
beautiful  curly  tail."  So  the  dog  perched  himself  on  the 
cat's  tail,  and  off  they  went  together. 

A  little  farther  on  they  came  to  the  farm-gate,  and  there, 
perched  on  the  topmost  rail,  was  the  cock. 

'  Whither  away,  Chaton  ?  "  asked  the  cock.  "  You  seem 
to  be  in  haste." 

'  Yes,"  said  Chaton.  '  I  have  heard  the  last  trump, 
which  proves  that  the  world  is  coming  to  an  end,  and  I  want 
to  get  safely  away  before  that  happens." 

1  Take  me  with  you,  Chaton  dear,"  said  the  cock. 

11  By  all  means,"  answered  the  cat.  "  Jump  on  to  my  beau 
tiful  curly  tail  beside  the  dog."  So  the  cock  perched  himself 
on  Chaton 's  tail,  and  now  there  were  two  passengers. 

Away  went  the  cat  even  faster  than  before,  so  as  to  make 
up  for  lost  time,  and  presently  they  passed  a  rabbit  who  was 
nibbling  the  grass  in  a  field. 

"  Chaton,  Chaton,"  cried  the  rabbit,  "  why  are  you 
running  so  quickly  ? " 

'  Don't  stop  me  !  "  answered  the  cat.  "  I've  heard  the 
last  trump  !  The  end  of  the  world  is  coming  !  ' 

'  Oh,  dear  me  !  "  cried  the  rabbit.  '  What  an  unfor 
tunate  thing !  Don't  leave  me  here,  Chaton,  for  I  am  afraid 
to  face  the  end  of  the  world." 

'  Very  well,"  said  Chaton.  "  Jump  on  to  my  beautiful 
curly  tail  with  the  dog  and  the  cock,  and  I'll  take  you  with 
me."  So  the  rabbit  also  perched  himself  on  the  cat's  tail, 
and  now  there  were  three  of  them  riding  there. 

Off  went  the  cat  again,  but  not  so  quickly  this  time, 
because  of  the  weight  on  his  tail,  and  before  very  long  he 
came  to  a  pond  by  the  side  of  which  a  goose  was  standing. 

*  Now  then,  now  then,  what's  the  hurry  ?  "  asked  the 
goose.  '  If  you  run  so  fast  you'll  overheat  your  blood  and 
die  of  a  fever." 

'  It's  all  very  well  to  scoff,"  answered  the  cat,  "  but  you 
must  know  that  the  end  of  the  world  is  coming.    I  have  heard 
the  last  trump  sound  !  ' 
140 


THE  CAT  THE  DOG,  THE  COCK,  THE  RABBIT,  AND  THE  GOOSE 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

"  My  goodness  !  "  said  the  goose.     '  This  is  dreadful ! 
Take  me  with  you,  Chaton,  and  I'll  be  grateful  for  ever." 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  cat.     '  Jump  on  to  my  beautiful 
curly  tail  with  the  dog  and  the  fox  and  the  rabbit."     So  the 

goose  also  perched  herself  on  the 
cat's  tail,  so  now  there  were  four 
passengers,  and  that  made  five 
altogether  who  were  running 
away  to  escape  the  end  of  the 
world. 

All  that  day  the  cat  kept  on 
running,  and  towards  dusk  they 
came  to  a  forest. 

'  This  seems  a  good  place  to 
rest,"  said  Chaton.  "  Now  then, 
master  cock,  fly  to  the  top  of  a  tree 
and  see  if  you  can  espy  a  house 
in  which  we  can  take  shelter." 

The  cock  flew  to  the  top  of  a 
high  tree  and  from  there  he  saw 
a  number  of  lights  twinkling  in 
the  distance.  The  five  fugitives 
thereupon  set  off  in  the  direction 
from  which  the  lights  shone,  and 
before  long  they  came  to  a  little 
village.  All  the  people  of  the 
village  had  left  their  houses  and 
were  gathered  together  in  the 

square,  round  a  man  dressed  all  in  red,  with  a  big  red 
feather  in  his  cap,  who  was  addressing  them. 

Chaton  and  his  companions  pressed  close  to  the  edge 
of  the  crowd  and  were  just  in  time  to  hear  these  words  : 
"  Whoever  finds  the  ring,"  said  the  man  with  the  red 
feather,  "  and  places  it  on  the  table  in  my  palace  to-morrow 
before  dawn,  shall  have  the  five  bags  of  gold  which  hang  on 
my  saddle  bow."  Having  said  this,  the  man  in  red  mounted 
his  horse  and  rode  away. 
142 


"  SEE  IF  YOU  CAN  ESPY  A  HOUSE 


"JUMP  ON  TO  MY  BEAUTIFUL  CURLY  TAIL 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Chaton  went  up  to  a  little  peasant  who  was  standing  in 
the  crowd.  "  Tell  me,  gossip,"  said  he,  "who  is  the  man 
with  the  red  feather,  and  what's  all  this  about  a  ring  and  five 
bags  of  gold  ?  ' 

"  Why,"  said  the  peasant,  "  the  man  in  red  is  the  King 
of  this  country.  He  had  a  valuable  ring  which  was  kept  in  a 
tiny  wooden  case  on  the  table  by  his  bed.  This  afternoon  a 
magpie  flew  in  through  the  window,  snatched  up  the  case, 
and  bore  it  away  to  its  nest  in  the  topmost  boughs  of  the 
walnut  tree  on  the  village  green.  The  King  wants  his  ring 
back  again,  and  will  give  the  five  bags  of  gold  to  anybody 
who  will  recover  it  for  him." 

"  I  see,"  said  Chaton;  "  and  why  don't  you  climb  the 
walnut-tree  and  get  the  ring  ? ' 

"  Because  I  have  too  much  respect  for  my  neck,"  answered 
the  peasant,  "  and  so  has  everybody  else  here.  The  boughs 
at  the  top  of  the  tree  where  the  nest  is  are  so  thin  and  slender 
that  they  would  not  bear  the  weight  of  a  child,  let  alone  a 
grown  man.  Gold  is  good,  but  whole  limbs  are  better,  that's 
what  I  say ! " 

"  And  I  !  "  "  And  I  !  "  echoed  other  villagers  who  had 
been  listening  to  this  conversation. 

"  In  my  belief  you  are  quite  right,"  said  Chaton  seriously. 

*  Let  the  King  risk  his  own  life  if  he  is  so  anxious  to  recover 

his  ring."    But  afterwards,  when  he  had  withdrawn  with  his 

companions  to  the  shelter  of  the  wood,  he  sang  a  different 

tune. 

"  My  friends,"  said  he,  "  our  fortunes  are  made  !  As 
soon  as  all  is  quiet  I  will  climb  the  tree  and  get  the  ring  ; 
then  you  shall  sit  on  my  tail  again  and  we'll  all  go  off  together 
to  the  King's  palace  and  get  the  bags  of  gold !  "  He  danced 
for  joy,  and  the  dog  and  the  cock  and  the  goose  and  the 
rabbit  danced  with  him. 

An  hour  afterwards  the  cat  climbed  the  tree  and  came 
down  safely  with  the  little  wooden  box.    The  rabbit  gnawed 
it  open  with  his  teeth,  and  sure  enough  there  was  the  ring 
inside  it. 
144 


THE  END   OF  THE  WORLD 

"  Now,"  said  Chaton,  "  we  will  all  go  to  the  King's 
palace,  but  I  am  very  tired  with  running  all  day.  I  propose 
that  the  dog  takes  a  turn  at  carrying  us."  This  was  agreed. 
The  other  four  got  on  to  the  dog's  back  and  clung  there  while 

he  ambled  off  as  fast  

as  he  could  along  the 
road  towards  the 
palace. 

Just  before  dawn 
they  came  to  a  wide 
river.  Now  it  was 
the  turn  of  the  goose 
to  work  for  the 
common  good.  She 
was  quite  used  to  the 
water,  and  one  by 
one  she  took  the 
other  animals  across 
on  her  back .  Short 
ly  afterwards  they 
arrived  at  the  King's 
palace,  and  the  cock 

flew  up  through  the  open  window  of  the  King's  room  with 
the  ring  in  his  beak,  and'placed  it  on  the  table  by  the  bed. 
Then  he  awoke  the  King  with  a  loud  crow  and  claimed  the 
reward,  which  was  willingly  given. 

In  great  glee  at  their  good  fortune  the  animals  went  on 
their  way,  each  with  his  bag  of  gold,  and  every  one  of  them 
had  by  this  time  quite  forgotten  his  fear  about  the  coming 
of  the  end  of  the  world.  They  went  on  and  on  until  they 
came  to  a  place  where  five  ways  met.  Then  Chaton  said  : 
"  Here  we  are  at  the  parting  of  the  ways.  Let  us  each  choose 
a  road,  and  part  good  friends." 

At  this  moment  there  came  along  a  pig  with  a  knife  and  fork 
stuck  in  his  back.  In  his  right  ear  was  salt ;  in  his  left  ear  pepper, 
and  mustard  was  on  his  tail,  so  that  everybody  who  was  hungry 
had  only  to  cut  themselves  a  slice  of  meat  and  sit  down  to  feast. 


THE  OTHER  FOUR  GOT  ON  TO  THE  DOG'S  BACK 


K 


F%OLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Our  friends  gladly  availed  themselves  of  this  good  chance, 
and  I  who  tell  you  this  story  would  willingly  have  done  the 
same,  but  as  soon  as  I  went  up  to  the  pig,  he  ran  at  me  with 
his  head  down  and  sent  me  flying  through  the  air,  and  through 
the  window  of  my  house,  where  I  fell  into  the  chair  in  which 
I  am  now  sitting,  finishing  this  story  of  the  wonderful  adven 
tures  of  Chaton,  the  Dog,  the  Cock,  the  Rabbit,  and  the 
Goose. 


THE  DRAGON 


THE  REWARD  OF  THE 
WORLD 

N  days  of  old,  when  there  were  dragons  in  the  land, 
a  youthful  knight  was  riding  along  the  high  road.  It 
was  a  beautiful  summer  day,  and  the  sun  shone  so 
warmly  that  the  rider  presently  began  to  feel  thirsty,  so 
coming  to  a  clear  stream  of  water,  he  swung  himself 
from  the  saddle  and  went  to  drink.  As  he  parted  the 
bushes  to  get  to  the  water  he  heard  a  strange  rumbling  and 
roaring  sound,  and  looking  quickly  in  the  direction  from  which  it 
came  he  saw  to  his  horror  an  immense  dragon  lying  by  the 
water-side  pinned  down  by  a  huge  mass  of  rock  which  had 
rolled  down  upon  the  creature  as  it  came  to  drink. 

The  knight's  first  impulse  was  to  flee,  for  it  is  better 
not  to  meddle  with  dragons,  even  when  accident  has  rendered 
them  helpless,  but  before  he  could  regain  his  horse  the 
creature  saw  him,  and  cried,  "  Good  knight,  come  and  help 

H7 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  ANp  MEN 

me,  I  pray  you,  to  escape  from  my  miserable  position.  This 
rock  upon  my  back  is  slowly  crushing  me  to  death." 

The  knight  hesitated,  and  was  in  two  minds  what  to  do 
between  his  fear  of  the  dragon  and  his  pity  for  its  unfortunate 
plight.  Seeing  this,  the  creature  called  out  again,  saying, 
"  If  you  will  only  set  me  free  I  will  repay  you  richly,  for  I 
will  give  you  The  Reward  of  the  World." 

"  The  Reward  of  the  World"  thought  the  knight,  "  that 
will  indeed  be  worth  having  !  "  for  he  had  often  heard  that 
dragons  were  the  guardians  of  immense  treasures.  So,  over 
coming  his  fright,  he  went  up  to  the  creature,  and  at  the 
cost  of  great  exertion  managed  to  roll  away  the  stone  that 
was  pressing  on  its  back. 

"  Poof !  That's  better,"  said  the  dragon,  blowing  a 
cloud  of  smoke  out  of  its  nostrils.  "  I  had  begun  to  think 
I  was  doomed  to  stay  in  that  place  for  ever  ! '  He  rubbed 
his  sore  back  reflectively  with  one  scaly  paw,  and  looked  at 
the  knight,  who  stood  waiting. 

"  Well  ?  "  said  he. 

"  You  promised  me  The  Reward  of  the  World  !  "  said  the 
knight. 

"  Did  I  so  ?  "  asked  the  dragon,  still  tenderly  stroking 
his  back.  *  Well,  you  shall  have  it !  '  And  suddenly  he 
launched  himself  upon  the  knight,  winding  his  horrible 
coils  around  his  body,  and  almost  crushing  him  to  death. 
The  unfortunate  young  man  struggled  feebly,  but  he  was 
powerless  in  the  grip  of  the  monster. 

"  Your  promise  !  "  he  gasped.  '  Is  this  my  reward  for 
having  saved  your  life  ?  ' 

"  Certainly,"  replied  the  dragon.  :  This  is  The  Reward 
of  the  World.  I  am  keeping  my  word  ! ' 

"  I  don't  believe  you,"  said  the  knight.  '  It  is  a  trick 
to  excuse  your  treachery.  What  a  fool  I  was  to  trust  a 
dragon's  word  !  ' 

"  It  is  just  as  I  say,"  the  dragon  replied.  "  But  I  confess 
I  owe  you  something,  and  I  should  hate  to  eat  you  feeling 
that  you  had  a  grievance.  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do.  I'll 
148 


AN  IMMENSE  DRAGON  LYING  BY  THE  WATER-SIDE 


THE  REWARD   OF  THE  WORLD 

submit  this  question  to  the  first  three  people  we  meet  along 
the  road,  and  if  they  decide  in  my  favour  you  must  accept 
the  verdict.  Is  it  agreed  ?  ' 

'  Agreed,"  said  the  knight,  who  was  glad  of  any  chance 
to  escape  from  the  dragon's 
coils,  so  the  creature  re 
leased  him,  and  the  two 
set  off  together  down  the 
road. 

They  had  not  gone  far 
before  they  met  the  dog. 

*  Stay  a  moment,  mas 
ter  dog,"  said  the  knight. 

*  What  do  you  understand 
by  The  Reward  of  the 
World?' 

The      dog     replied, 

'  When  I  was  young  I  was 
a  splendid  watch-dog,  and 
guarded  my  master's 
house  against  all  comers. 
In  those  days  everybody 
made  a  fuss  of  me.  I  had 
plenty  of  good  food  to  eat, 
and  my  own  particular 
place  before  the  fire.  Now, 
alas  !  I  am  old.  My  sight 
is  so  weak  and  my  powers 
so  feeble  that  I  can  no 

longer  work  for  my  living,  and  in  consequence  everybody 
kicks  me  out  of  their  way.  I  eat  what  I  can  get,  which  is 
not  much.  Even  the  children  throw  stones  at  me,  knowing 
that  my  teeth  are  not  sharp  enough  to  bite,  and  wherever 
I  go  people  say,  '  There  is  that  beastly  hound  again ! 
Chase  him  away  with  a  stick  !  '  That  is  The  Reward  of  the 
World." 

There  was  little  comfort  for  the  knight  in  this,  nevertheless 

149 


MY  SIGHT   IS   SO   WEAK  AND  MY   POWERS 

so  FEEBLE" 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

he  did  not  give  up  hope,  but  accosted  the  next  creature 
they  met,  which  happened  to  be  a  horse. 

"  What  is  The  Reward  of  the  World?  "  the  knight  asked 
him. 

*  Listen,"  said  the  horse  bitterly,  "  and  I  will  tell  you. 
All  my  life  I  have  laboured  diligently  for  one  master.  Day 
in  and  day  out  I  dragged  his  cart  to  market,  working  myself 
to  skin  and  bone  in  his  service.  Now  I  am  grown  old  and 
my  strength  begins  to  fail,  so  that  I  can  no  longer  earn  my 
keep.  To-day  I  heard  him  say  that  he  was  going  to  send 
me  to  the  knackers'  yard  and  sell  my  poor  old  carcass  for 
a  couple  of  crowns.  That  is  The  Reward  of  the  World  y 
young  master,  and  may  heaven  preserve  you  from  it  !  ' 

:  You  see  !  "  said  the  dragon,  as  the  two  went  on,  "  my 
words  are  already  justified.  Come,  be  sensible  and  let  me 
eat  you  without  further  ado  !  ' 

'  No,"  said  the  knight,  "  we  have  still  one  person  to 
ask.  Here  comes  a  fox.  Let  us  see  what  he  has  to  say 
about  the  matter.  Reynard,  what  do  you  understand  by 
The  Reward  of  the  World?  ' 

'  How  do  you  mean  ?  "  asked  the  fox.  "  What  is  the 
case  in  point  ?  ' 

"  Well,  you  see,"  explained  the  knight,  "  I  found  this 
dragon  in  a  position  of  uncommon  peril,  and  he  promised, 
if  I  would  rescue  him,  to  give  me  The  Reward  of  the  World. 
The  question  now  arises  as  to  what  The  Reward  of  the  World 

"I  see,"  said  Reynard  thoughtfully.  "  His  life  was  in 
danger,  you  say  ?  How  was  that  ?  ' 

'  A  huge  stone  had  fallen  on  to  his  back,  pinning  him 
down  so  that  he  could  not  move.  I  rolled  the  stone  away, 
and  set  him  free." 

The  fox  scratched  his  head  and  pondered.  "  If  you 
don't  mind,"  said  he,  "  I'd  rather  like  to  have  this  matter 
made  a  little  clearer.  Where  did  all  this  happen  ?  ' 

'  A  little  farther  back  along  the  road,  by  the  side  of  the 
stream." 
150 


DOES  THE  DRAGON  MIND  GETTING  UNDER  THE 
STONE  AGAIN?" 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

"  I'll  come  and  look  at  the  place  ! ' 

So  the  knight  led  Reynard  to  the  banks  of  the  stream, 
where  he  stood  gazing  for  a  time  at  the  big  stone. 

"  I  want  to  be  quite  sure  I  understand  all  the  circum 
stances,"  said  he  at  last.  "  Does  the  dragon  mind  getting 
under  the  stone  again  for  a  moment,  so  that  I  can  see  exactly 
how  he  lay  ?  ' 

"  Not  at  all,"  said  the  dragon  politely,  and  he  lay  down 
on  the  bank,  while  the  knight  and  the  fox  together  rolled 
the  stone  on  top  of  him. 

"  Splendid  !  "  said  Reynard,  when  the  dragon  was  safely 
pinned  down.  "  Now  everything  is  as  it  was  before  !  " 
Then  turning  to  the  knight,  he  added,  "  If  you,  knowing 
what  you  know  now,  care  to  release  him  again,  you  are  at 
liberty  to  do  so,  but  .  .  ."  And  he  winked  slyly.  There 
was  no  need  to  say  more. 

"  I  am  really  very  much  obliged  to  you,"  said  the  knight, 
as  he  walked  off  down  the  road  with  Reynard,  leaving  the 
dragon  still  under  the  stone.  That  was  a  capital  idea  of 
yours,  and  it  certainly  saved  my  life.  I  would  like  to  show 
my  gratitude  in  some  way,  and  I  shall  be  honoured  if  you 
will  accept  my  hospitality  for  a  few  days." 

Reynard  needed  no  pressing,  but  went  home  with  the 
young  man  there  and  then,  and  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  good 
fare  with  which  he  was  provided.  Since,  however,  a  fox  is 
always  a  fox,  no  matter  what  company  he  is  in,  Master 
Reynard  could  not  forbear  from  stealing,  and  every  night 
he  crept  into  the  hen-house  and  killed  one  or  two  chickens. 
When  the  knight  discovered  this  he  was  very  angry,  and 
picking  up  a  big  stick  he  gave  the  fox  a  good  thrashing 
and  drove  him  forth. 

"  That  is  The  Reward  of  the  World"  he  said  to  himself, 
as  he  watched  Reynard  disappearing  into  the  distance.  But 
whether  he  was  referring  to  the  way  the  fox  had  treated 
him,  or  to  his  own  treatment  of  the  fox,  I  cannot  say. 


J.B. 


NOTHING  WAS  LEFT  OF  THE  FISHES 


ONE  BAD  TURN  BEGETS 
ANOTHER 

YBERT  the  Cat  and  Courtoys  the  Dog  were 
very  great  friends — that  is  to  say  they  were  as 
friendly  as  their  natures  would  let  them  be. 
Both  of  them  were  exceedingly  greedy  and 
selfish.  The  Cat  was  spiteful  and  the  Dog  was 
sullen.  Master  Tyb  was  always  willing  to 
give  up  to  the  dog  what  he  did  not  need  himself,  and  on  his 
part,  Courtoys  never  stole  the  cat's  food  while  the  cat  was 
looking.  Neither  was  loath  to  play  a  mean  trick  upon  the 
other  if  he  could  do  so  without  injury  to  himself,  but  except 
for  these  little  matters  they  were  quite  in  accord,  and  very 
friendly,  as  I  said  before,  and  on  the  whole  they  got  on  very 
well  together. 

There  came  a  time  when,  in  spite  of  Tybert's  shyness  and 
Courtoys'  strength,  they  could  by  no  means  find  anything  to 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

eat.    For  two  days  not  a  morsel  of  food  had  passed  the  lips 
of  either ;    and  this  made  them  very  bad  tempered. 

"  I  wish  I'd  never  seen  you,"  said  Courtoys  to  Tyb. 
"  A  fine  partner  you  are,  upon  my  word,  when  you  can't 
find  food  for  us.  Where  are  those  wonderful  wits  of  yours, 
of  which  you  are  always  boasting." 

*  In  my  head,"  answered  Tyb  spitefully.    "  And  such 
as  they  are,  they  have  to  do  duty  for  two.     If  you'd  talk  less, 
and  think  more,  and  use  your  eyes,  we  would  be  better  off. 
Here  is  a  cart  coming  along  the  road  ;  perhaps  we  shall  find 
our  dinner  inside  it ! ' 

Sure  enough,  a  heavy  wagon  was  rumbling  along  the  road 
towards  them,  driven  by  a  peasant  with  a  round  and  rather 
stupid  face.  As  it  came  nearer,  Tyb  and  Courtoys  sniffed 
the  air,  and  the  water  ran  out  of  the  corners  of  their  mouths. 

'  Fish,"  said  Tybert  ravenously. 

'  Fish  !  "  echoed  Courtoys.  "  Here's  a  chance  to  exercise 
those  wits  of  yours.  How  can  we  get  it  ?  ' 

*  I  have  a  plan,"  answered  the  Cat.     '  Come  quickly  and 
hide  yourself  with  me  in  the  ditch  until  the  wagon  has  passed, 
and  I  will  tell  you  all  about  it !  ' 

So  it  was  done.  The  wagon  rumbled  by,  the  scent  of 
the  fish  with  which  it  was  laden  filling  the  air,  and  the  driver 
went  on  calmly  smoking  his  pipe,  little  dreaming  that  four 
hungry  eyes  were  gazing  at  him  through  the  bushes  that 
bordered  the  side  of  the  road. 

*  Now  then,"  cried  Tybert,  "  our  time  has  come.    Follow 
the  wagon  and  don't  let  it  out  of  your  sight  for  a  moment, 
but  take  care  that  the  driver  does  not  see  you.     I  shall  go 
on  in  front  and  stretch  myself  out  on  the  road,  pretending 
to  be  dead.     It's  odds  but  what  the  driver,  seeing  me  lying 
there,  will  covet  my  skin,  and  will  pick  me  up  and  throw  me 
into  the  cart.    Once  there,  I'll  throw  the  fish  out  to  you,  and 
you  will  know  what  to  do  with  it." 

1  Oh,  yes,  I'll  know  what  to  do  with  it,"  said  Courtoys  to 
himself,  with  a  grin,  and,  keeping  well  out  of  sight  of  the 
driver,  he  followed  the  wagon. 


THE  BIGGEST  AND  FATTEST  FISH 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

Tybert 's  plan  worked  to  perfection.  He  ran  on  for  about 
a  quarter  of  a  mile,  keeping  to  the  fields  bordering  the  road, 
and  then  stretched  himself  out  at  full  length,  with  his  mouth 
open  as  though  he  were  dead. 

*  Oho  !  "  said  the  peasant,  as  he  drove  up.  *  What's 
this  ?  A  dead  cat !  I'll  take  him  with  me,  and  sell  his  skin 
for  a  few  sous.  This  time  next  week  some  fine  lady  will  be 
wearing  him  round  her  neck,  thinking  he's  sable."  And 

with  that  he  dismounted, 
picked  up  the  cat  and  slung 
him  carelessly  into  the 
wagon  on  top  of  the  heap 
offish. 

Hardly  was  he  back  in 
his  place,  than  Tybert 
arose  and  began  to  pick 
out  the  biggest  and  fattest 
fish  and  throw  them  into 
the  road.  He  had  to  be 
very  careful  in  doing  this, 
because  now  and  again  the 
peasant  turned  his  head. 
Once  when  a  very  big  fish 
was  tumbled  out,  the  noise 
of  its  fall  aroused  the  peasant,  who  swung  round  sharply, 
and  Tybert  was  only  just  in  time  to  avert  discovery  by 
laying  himself  out  and  pretending  to  be  dead  as  before. 

When  he  had  thrown  out  what  he  considered  was  a 
sufficient  quantity,  Tybert  rested  awhile,  so  that  the  dog 
could  collect  the  spoils,  and  then  jumped  from  the  wagon 
to  go  and  claim  his  share.  When  he  came  up  to  Courtoys, 
however,  he  found  to  his  dismay  that  nothing  was  left  of  the 
fish  but  a  heap  of  bones. 

"  That  was  a  splendid  plan  of  yours,  brother,"  said 
Courtoys,  licking  his  lips.  '  The  fish  were  delicious,  and  I 
hardly  feel  hungry  at  all  now  !  Do  make  haste  and  take  your 
share  !  '  And  he  waved  his  paw  invitingly  towards  the  heap 
156 


STRETCHED  HIMSELF  OUT  AT  FULL  LENGTH 


ONE   BAD  TURN   BEGETS   ANOTHER 

of  bones.  Tybert  gave  him  one  look,  and  then  grinned  as 
though  in  enjoyment  of  an  excellent  joke.  Not  by  word  or 
action  did  he  give  any  sign  of  the  anger  which  was  consuming 
him,  but  he  determined  to  have  his  revenge. 

A  day  or  two  later  his  chance  came.  Lurking  in  his  usual 
stealthy  way  in  a  farmyard,  he  saw  the  farmer  go  into  the 
house  with  a  fine  big  ham,  which  he  hung  by  a  cord  on  a  nail 
in  the  kitchen  wall.  Away  he  ran  to  Courtoys  and  told  him 
what  he  had  seen. 

'  Well,"  said  Courtoys  surlily,  "  and  what  about  it  ? ' 

"  Why,"  answered  Tybert.  "  There  is  no  reason  why 
we  should  not  feast  on  that  ham,  you  and  I.  It  will  be  the 
easiest  thing  in  the  world  to  steal  it.  The  latch  of  the  kitchen 
window  is  broken,  and  it  cannot  be  locked.  All  you  have  to 
do  is  to  go  there  to-night,  creep  through  the  window,  pull 
down  the  ham,  and  throw  it  out  to  me." 

'  Why  can't  you  get  it  yourself  ?  "  asked  Courtoys  sus 
piciously. 

'  Ah,"  said  the  cat,  "  I  am  not  strong  enough  to  pull  it 
down." 

'  And  what  about  the  farmer's  dogs  ?  I  seem  to  re 
member  hearing  they  are  savage  brutes  !  ' 

1  Well,  of  course,  if  you're  afraid  ..."  answered  the 
cat  disdainfully. 

"  Afraid  yourself !  '    cried  Courtoys.    "  You  leave  this 


to  me.' 


So  that  very  night,  when  the  moon  had  set,  the  two  crept 
into  the  farmyard,  and  the  dog  managed  to  get  through  the 
window  into  the  kitchen  unobserved.  The  next  moment 
he  had  pulled  down  the  ham  and  had  thrown  it  out  of  the 
window  to  Tybert,  who  was  waiting  below.  Tybert  seized 
it  in  his  mouth  and  ran  off,  but  as  soon  as  he  reached  the  gate 
he  gave  a  series  of  such  blood-curdling  miaows,  that  he 
roused  every  dog  on  the  farm.  Out  they  came,  hair  bristling, 
and  teeth  flashing,  just  in  time  to  catch  our  friend  Courtoys 
as  he  jumped  down  from  the  window. 

Then  occurred  a  ferocious  fight.    With  his  back  to  the 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

wall  Courtoys  put  up  a  sturdy  resistance,  but  he  was  very 
badly  mangled  indeed  before  he  managed  to  escape.  With 
one  ear  torn  off  and  one  eye  closed,  bleeding  from  many 
wounds  and  panting  with  his  exertions,  he  limped  painfully 
up  to  where  the  cat  awaited  him. 

"  My  poor  friend,"  cried  Tybert.  "  Are  you  badly 
hurt  ?  Never  mind,  the  ham  was  worth  it — it  simply  melted 
in  the  mouth.  I  have  already  eaten  my  share,  and  I  willingly 
give  you  yours  !  '  So  saying,  he  pointed  to  the  greasy  string 
by  which  the  ham  had  been  suspended,  and  which  was  now 
all  that  remained.  Courtoys  gazed  at  it  blankly. 

1  You  see,"  explained  Tybert  calmly,  as  he  prepared  to 
take  his  departure,  "  a  cord  is  worth  a  good  many  fish 
bones  !  " 


"  WHY  ARE   YOU  BLOWING   YOUR   SOUP  ?  " 


THE  PEASANT  AND  THE 
SATYRS 

NE  cold  winter's  day  a  peasant  set  out  on  a 
journey  which  led  him  through  the  depths  of  a 
forest  into  which  he  had  not  hitherto  been. 
The  result  was  that  he  lost  his  way,  and  after 
wandering  about  for  many  hours  in  the  hope  of 
finding  it  again,  he  found  himself,  just  as  dusk 
was  coming  on,  in  a  little  clearing  where  he  was  overjoyed  to 
see  a  small  house  with  a  cheerful  light  in  the  window.  '  Here 
is  a  chance  of  supper  and  a  bed,"  thought  the  peasant,  and 
he  made  haste  to  go  up  to  the  cottage  door. 

Now  this  house  in  the  clearing  was  not  inhabited  by  men, 
but  by  some  strange  forest  folk  who  were  called  satyrs.  If 
you  want  to  know  what  they  were  like,  you  must  look  at  the 
pictures.  Certainly  the  peasant  had  never  seen  anything 
like  them  before,  although  he  had  often  heard  of  them,  and 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

when  he  nearly  tumbled  over  the  little  satyr  children  who  were 
playing  in  the  snow  outside  the  house  door,  he  was  the  most 
surprised  man  in  all  those  parts.  It  was  too  late  to  draw 
back  however,  so  he  went  boldly  up  to  the  door  and  gave  a 
loud  knock. 

*  Come  in  !  "  cried  a  gruff  voice,  and  the  peasant  accord 
ingly  went  in  and  found  himself  facing  the  Father  of  all  the 
Satyrs,  who  had  a  long  beard  and  a  pair  of  horns  jutting  from 
his  forehead.  The  poor  fellow's  knees  trembled  underneath 
him  for  fright,  especially  when  he  saw  all  the  other  satyrs, 
the  mother  and  the  uncles  and  the  aunts,  glowering  at  him. 

"  Please  forgive  me  for  my  intrusion,"  said  he,  "  but  I 
have  lost  my  way  in  the  woods,  and  I  am  half  dead  with 
hunger  and  cold.  It  would  be  an  act  of  great  kindness  if 
you  would  give  me  some  food  and  allow  me  to  take  shelter 
for  the  night."  So  saying,  to  give  point  to  his  remarks,  he 
set  to  work  to  blow  upon  his  chilled  fingers,  which  indeed 
were  blue  with  the  cold. 

"  Why  are  you  blowing  your  fingers  ?  "  asked  the  Father 
of  all  the  Satyrs  curiously. 

"  Why,  to  warm  them,"  answered  the  peasant,  and  he 
blew  harder  than  before. 

"  Well,  sit  down,"  said  the  Satyr.  "  As  it  happens  we 
are  just  about  to  have  supper,  and  you  are  welcome  to  share 
it  with  us." 

So  the  peasant  sat  down  to  supper,  and  all  the  Satyr 
family  sat  down  too,  and  watched  him  with  big  unblinking 
eyes,  so  that  he  felt  very  uncomfortable.  A  big  basin  of  soup 
was  set  before  him,  and  finding  it  very  hot,  he  began  to  blow 
upon  it. 

At  this  all  the  Satyr  family  cried  out  in  surprise,  and  the 
Father  Satyr  said,  "  Why  are  you  blowing  your  soup  ?  ' 

"  To  cool  it,"  answered  the  peasant.  "  It  is  too  hot,  and 
I  am  afraid  it  may  scald  my  mouth." 

Another  and  a  louder  cry  of  surprise  came  from  all  the 
Satyrs,  but  the  Father  cried  out  loudest  of  all,  and  seemed 
very  indignant.  *  Come,"  he  said,  advancing  to  the  peasant 
160 


THE  SATYRS'  VILLAGE 


tf- 


* 


'f 


' 


"Jk; 

i.          *^ 

*     » 
.•     * 


"  THERE  IS  NO  PLACE  IN  MY  HOUSE  FOR  A  MAN  WHO 
CAN  BLOW  HOT  AND  COLD  " 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

and  taking  him  by  the  collar.  *  Out  you  go  !  There  is  no 
place  in  my  house  for  a  man  who  can  blow  hot  and  cold 
with  the  same  breath.  That  smells  too  much  of  sorcery  or 
magic.  Out  you  go,  I  say,  and  practise  your  spells  in  the 
forest." 

So  the  poor  peasant  had  to  go  supperless  and  spend  the 
night  in  the  woods,  with  no  shelter  but  the  trees,  and  the 
snow  for  coverlet. 

And,  if  you  wish  to  know  when  all  this  happened,  all  I 
can  tell  you  is  that  it  was  a  very  long  time  ago,  in  the  days 
when  fishes  flew,  and  cats  had  wings. 


v 


THE  Two  FRIENDS 


THE  TWO  FRIENDS  AND 
THE  BARREL  OF  GREASE 

DOG  and  a  wolf  who  were  very  great  friends 
set  up  house  together,  and  agreed  to  share 
equally  any  food  they  might  obtain.  One  day 
they  managed  to  steal  a  barrel  of  grease  from  the 
house  of  a  countryman  who  lived  close  by,  and 
having  no  immediate  need  of  it,  they  decided  to 
put  it  away  until  the  winter,  when  they  might  be  glad  of 
anything  they  could  get  to  appease  their  hunger.  So  the 
barrel  of  grease  was  carefully  hidden  away  in  the  cellar. 

All  went  well  for  some  time,  and  then  the  wolf  began  to 
think  longingly  of  the  hidden  store.  Every  time  he  thought 
of  the  grease  he  imagined  himself  licking  it  up,  and  at  last  he 
could  withstand  the  temptation  no  longer,  so  he  went  to  the 
dog  and  said  :  '  I  shall  be  out  all  day  to-morrow.  A  cousin 

163 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

of  mine  has  just  had  a  little  son,  and  he  has  sent  for  me  to  go 
and  be  godfather  at  the  christening." 

"  Very  well,  my  friend,"  answered  the  dog.  "  Go  by  all 
means.  They  have  paid  you  a  great  honour  by  asking  you, 
and  of  course  you  cannot  refuse." 

The  wolf  departed,  but  he  went  no  farther  than  the 
cellar,  where  he  spent  the  whole  of  the  day  by  the  barrel  of 
grease,  eating  and  eating  until  he  could  hold  no  more.  Late 
at  night  he  returned,  licking  his  chops,  and  the  dog  said  : 
"  Well,  my  friend,  did  everything  go  off  well  ?  ' 

"  Splendidly,  thank  you  !  "  answered  the  wolf. 

*  Good  !    And  what  name  did  they  give  the  child  ?  ' 

*  Oh,"  said  the  wolf,  thinking  of  the  barrel  of  grease, 
"  they  called  him  Begun" 

"  What  a  strange  name  !  "  cried  the  dog,  "  I  never  heard 
the  like  of  it  in  my  life.  However,  every  one  to  his  taste  !  ' 

A  day  or  two  later  the  wolf  once  again  began  to  think  of 
the  delicious  food  in  the  cellar,  so  he  told  the  dog  that  he  had 
just  received  another  summons  from  a  different  cousin,  who 
also  had  a  baby  to  which  she  wished  him  to  stand  godfather. 
*  I  wish  to  goodness  they  would  leave  me  alone  !  "  he  said, 
pretending  to  be  very  much  annoyed.  "  Anybody  would 
think  that  I  had  nothing  else  to  do  but  to  stand  godfather  to 
other  people's  brats  !  ' 

"  You  shouldn't  be  so  good-natured,"  laughed  the  dog. 
"  It  is  clear  that  you  make  a  very  good  godfather,  or  you  would 
not  be  so  much  in  demand." 

Away  went  the  wolf  and  spent  a  second  satisfying  day  with 
the  barrel  of  grease.  When  he  returned  the  dog  asked  him 
the  name  of  the  child. 

•'  Half-Done"  said  the  wolf. 

'  Bah  !  "  cried  the  dog,  "  that  is  an  even  sillier  name 
than  the  other.  I  can't  think  what  parents  are  coming  to 
rn  my  time  plain  Jean  or  Jacques  was  good  enough  for  any 
body." 

The  wolf  made  no  reply,  being  in  fact  fast  asleep,  for  he 
had  dined  very  well,  and  was  drowsy.  A  day  or  two  after- 
164 


"WHERE  HAS  ALL  OUR  GREASE  GONE?" 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

wards,  however,  he  played  the  same  trick  again,  and  devoured 
the  last  of  the  fat  in  the  barrel.  This  time,  when  asked  the 
name  of  the  child  to  whom  he  had  stood  godfather,  he 
answered  :  * '  A  ll-done . ' ' 

The  dog  had  no  suspicion  of  the  way  he  had  been  de 
ceived,  and  all  went  well  until  the  winter  came  and  food 
became  difficult  to  procure.  Then  one  day  the  dog  said  : 
"  It  seems  to  me  that  the  time  has  come  to  tap  our  barrel  of 
grease.  What  do  you  say,  friend  ?  Weren't  we  wise  to  put 
it  away  for  a  time  like  this  !  ' 

'  I  believe  you,"  answered  the  wolf. 

*  Come  then,  let  us  go  to  the  cellar  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of 
our  prudence." 

So  off  they  went  to  the  cellar,  where  they  found  the 
barrel  in  the  very  place  they  had  left  it,  but  with  nothing 
inside  it.  The  dog  looked  at  the  wolf,  and  the  wolf  looked 
at  the  dog,  and  of  the  two  the  wolf  seemed  the  more  surprised. 

"  What's  this  ?  "  cried  the  dog.  "  Where  has  our  grease 
gone  ?  '  Then,  looking  at  the  wolf  suspiciously  :  "  This 
is  some  of  your  work,  my  friend  !  ' 

'  Oh,  indeed  !  "  said  the  wolf,  "  and  since  when  has  it 
been  proved  that  dogs  do  not  like  grease  ?  ' 

1  You  mean  to  accuse  me  of  stealing  it  ?  "  cried  the  dog 
angrily. 

"  One  of  the  two  of  us  must  have  taken  it,  for  nobody  else 
knew  it  was  here  !  ' 

'  It  was  certainly  not  I." 

'  Well,"  said  the  wolf,  "  it  is  no  use  squabbling  over  the 
matter.  Fortunately  there  is  a  way  of  discovering  which  of 
us  is  the  culprit.  Obviously  the  one  who  has  eaten  all  that 
grease  must  be  absolutely  full  of  fat.  Let  us  both  go  to 
sleep  in  the  sunshine.  At  the  end  of  an  hour  or  two  the 
heat  will  melt  the  grease  which  will  soak  through  and  show 
on  the  body  of  the  one  who  is  the  thief." 

Feeling  quite  secure  in  his  innocence,  the  dog  willingly 
agreed  to  this  plan,  and  the  two  went  out  and  lay  down 
in  a  sheltered  place,  where  the  heat  of  the  sun  was  strong. 
1 66 


THE  BARREL  OF  GREASE 

After  a  time  the  dog  began  to  yawn,  and  in  less  than 
half  an  hour  he  was  sound  asleep,  but  the  wolf  had  a 
good  reason  for  not  following  his  example,  and  although  he 
closed  his  eyes  to  deceive  his  friend,  he  remained  wide  awake. 

Presently,  having  made  sure  that  the  dog  was  slumbering 
peacefully,  he  arose  and  tiptoed  softly  down  to  the  cellar. 
There  he  collected  with  his  long  tongue,  every  bit  of  the 
grease  that  still  remained  sticking  to  the  sides  and  bottom  of 
the  barrel,  and  returning  to  the  sleeper,  carefully  smeared  the 
grease  over  his  jaws,  back,  and  thighs.  Several  times  he  did 
this,  until  the  dog  was  covered  with  a  thin  greasy  film. 
Then  he  lay  down  again  and  once  more  pretended  to  sleep. 

A  little  while  afterwards  the  dog  woke  up,  and  found  the 
grease  all  over  his  body.  He  could  not  make  out  how  it  got 
there,  and  while  he  was  still  regarding  himself  with  a  look  of 
blank  surprise,  the  wolf  cried  :  "  Ah,  now  we  know  who 
was  the  thief  !  The  grease  has  betrayed  you,  my  friend  !  ' 

The  poor  dog  looked  very  sheepish,  and  had  not  a  word  to 
say  for  himself.  He  puzzled  over  the  matter  until  his  head 
ached,  and  at  last  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  he  must 
have  been  sleep-walking  and  have  stolen  the  grease  without 
knowing  it — a  conclusion  with  which  the  wolf  entirely  agreed. 


MRS.  BRUIN  AND  REYNARD 


WHY  THE  BEAR  HAS  A 
STUMPY  TAIL 

~|NE  very  cold  winter,  when  the  ground  was  covered 
with  snow  and  the  ponds  and  rivers  were 
frozen  hard,  Reynard  the  Fox  and  all  the  other 
animals  went  out  to  enjoy  themselves  by  sliding 
f  and  skating  on  the  ice.  After  a  time  Reynard 
began  to  feel  hungry,  so  he  wandered  off  by 
himself  in  search  of  something  to  eat.  He  nosed  about  here, 
and  he  nosed  about  there  ;  he  lay  in  wait  behind  bushes  in 
the  hope  of  being  able  to  catch  a  bird  ;  he  lurked  by  the  walls 
of  farmhouses  ready  to  spring  out  upon  any  unsuspecting 
chicken  that  might  show  itself,  but  all  in  vain.  The 
birds  were  wary,  and  the  fowls  were  all  safe  in  the  hen 
houses. 

Disappointed  with  his  lack  of  success  Reynard  betook 
himself  to  the  river,  now  covered  with  a  glistening  sheet  of 
1 68 


"AFTER  A  TIME  THE  FISH  WILL  COME  TO  BITE  AT  IT" 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

ice,  and  there,  under  the  shelter  of  a  bank,  he  found  a  hole  in 
the  ice  which  had  not  been  frozen  over.  He  sat  down  to 
watch  the  hole,  and  presently  a  little  fish  popped  up  its  head 
for  a  breath  of  air.  Reynard's  paw  darted,  and  the  next 
moment  the  unfortunate  creature  lay  gasping  on  the  ice. 
Fish  after  fish  the  fox  caught  in  this  way,  and  when  he  had 
quite  satisfied  his  hunger  he  strung  the  remainder  on  a  stick 
and  took  his  departure,  not  forgetting  first  of  all  to  offer  up  a 
prayer  for  the  repose  of  his  victims. 

He  had  not  gone  far  before  he  met  Mrs.  Bruin,  who  had 
also  come  out  in  search  of  something  to  eat.  When  she 
saw  Reynard  with  his  fine  catch  of  fish,  she  opened  her  eyes, 
I  can  tell  you,  and  said  :  "  Wherever  did  you  get  all 
those  fine  fishes  from,  cousin  ?  They  make  my  mouth 
water  !  I  am  so  hungry  that  I  could  bite  the  head  off  an 
iron  nail  !  ' 

'  Ah,"  said  Reynard  slyly,  "  wouldn't  you  just  like  to 
know  !  ' 

"It  is  what  I'm  asking  you,"  said  Mrs.  Bruin.  "  You 
would  surely  not  be  so  mean  as  to  keep  the  good  news  to 
yourself ! ' 

*  I  don't  know  so  much  about  that,"  answered  Reynard, 
'  but  I  have  a  certain  fondness  for  you,  cousin,  so  come 
along  with  me  and  I  will  show  you  the  place  where  I  caught 
the  fish." 

Nothing  loath,  the  bear  followed,  and  presently  they  came 
to  the  hole  in  the  ice. 

'  Do  you  see  that  hole,  cousin  ?  "  said  Reynard.  "  That 
is  where  the  fish  come  up  to  breathe.  All  you  have  to  do  is 
to  sit  on  the  ice  and  let  your  tail  hang  down  into  the  water. 
After  a  time  the  fish  will  come  to  bite  at  it,  but  don't  you 
move.  Sit  quite  still  until  the  evening  ;  then  you  will  find  a 
score  of  fishes  on  your  tail  and  you  can  pull  them  out 
all  together." 

Mrs.  Bruin  was  delighted  with  the  plan  and  immediately 
sat  down  and  dipped  her  tail  into  the  water. 

"  That's  the  way,"  said  Reynard.  "  Now  I'll  just  be 
170 


•i 


WHY  THE  BEAR  HAS  A  STUMPY  TAIL 

walking  home  to  see  to  my  dinner,  but  I'll  be  back  presently. 
Be  careful  to  keep  quite  still,  or  you'll  spoil  everything  !  ' 

So  for  the  next  three  hours  Mrs.  Bruin  sat  on  the  ice  with 
her  tail  in  the  water,  and  very  cold  it  was,  but  she  consoled 
herself  with  the  thought  of  the  delicious  meal  she  would  have 
when  the  fish  were  landed. 

Reynard    returned.        "  Well, 


afternoon 
how  do 


Late    in    the 
cousin,"  said  he, 
you  feel  ? " 

"Very  cold,"  said  Mrs. 
Bruin,  with  her  teeth 
chattering.  "  My  tail  is 
so  numb  that  I  hardly 
know  I've  got  one  !  ' 

"  Does  it  feel  heavy?" 
asked  Reynard  anxiously. 

'  Very     heavy,"     said 
Mrs.  Bruin. 

There  must  be  hun 
dreds  of  fish  on  it  !  "  said 
Reynard.  He  left  the 
bank  and  walked  round 
the  bear,  observing  that 
the  water  in  the  hole  had  frozen  over,  and  that  Mrs.  Bruin's 
tail  was  held  firmly  in  the  ice. 

*  I  think  you  may  safely  pull  up  now,"  he  went  on,  "  but 
you  must  be  careful  to  land  all  the  fish  together.  There  is 
only  one  way  to  do  that  :  you  must  give  a  strong,  sharp, 
sudden  pull  and  take  them  by  surprise.  Now  then,  are  you 
ready  ?  One,  two,  three  .  .  .  !  ' 

At  the  word  three  Mrs.  Bruin  rose  on  her  hind  legs  and 
gave  a  mighty  jerk,  but  her  tail  was  so  firmly  embedded  in 
the  ice  that  it  would  not  come  out. 

'  My  word,"  cried  Reynard,  "  you  have  caught  the  whole 
river-full.  Persevere,  cousin — now  then,  a  long  pull  and  a 
strong  pull  !  ' 

"  Ouf  !  '     grunted    Mrs.    Bruin,    "  ouf,    ouf  .  .  .  ah  !  ' 

171 


ONE,  TWO,  THREE 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

And  then  she  suddenly  tumbled  head  over  heels  on  the  ice, 
as  with  one  mighty  jerk,  she  snapped  her  beautiful  bushy 
tail  clean  off  close  to  the  roots. 

When  she  had  gathered  her  scattered  wits  together  well 
enough  to  understand  what  had  happened,  she  went  to  look 
for  Reynard,  but  he  had  suddenly  remembered  an  important 
engagement  elsewhere,  and  was  not  to  be  found.  And  from 
that  time  down  to  this  every  bear  has  been  born  with  a  little 
stumpy  tail. 


MARGOT  AND  THE  CAT 


THE  WITCH'S  CAT 

NCE  upon  a  time  there  was  a  wicked  old  witch 
who  lived  all  alone  in  the  topmost  chamber  of 
a  tall  and  gloomy  tower.  There  she  sat  day 
after  day  with  her  ugly  head  resting  on  her 
hands,  peering  out  through  a  slit  in  the  wall 
upon  the  countryside.  Her  only  companion  was 
a  big  black  tom-cat,  who  sat  by  her  side  in  the  darkened 
chamber,  his  eyes  shining  like  green  fire  in  the  gloom. 

One  day  as  the  witch  sat  there,  she  saw  a  little  girl  gather 
ing  berries  in  the  wood.  The  sight  made  her  show  her 
toothless  gums  in  a  malicious  grin  and  she  muttered  to 
herself  :  '  Wait  there,  wait  there,  my  ducky,  my  darling, 
till  I  come  to  you,  for  your  flesh  will  be  very  sweet."  Then 
she  put  on  a  long  cloak  and  took  a  walking-staff  in  her  hand 
and  went  down  the  stairs. 

Now  the  little  girl,  whose  name  was  Margot,  had  strayed 
very  far  from  home  in  her  eagerness  to  gather  the  ripe  berries, 

173 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

and  she  was  in  a  part  of  the  country  which  was  quite  strange 
to  her.  Had  she  happened  to  meet  anybody  on  her  way 
they  would  have  warned  her  not  to  go  near  the  witch's  tower, 
but  she  had  not  met  a  soul  all  day,  and  so  she  had  no  idea  of 
the  dreadful  danger  that  was  threatening  her.  She  went  on 
gathering  her  berries,  light-heartedly  humming  a  tune, 
until  her  basket  was  nearly  full,  and  then  she  sat  down  at  the 
foot  of  a  tree  to  rest. 

Presently  she  saw  an  old  woman  coming  towards  her. 
It  was  the  witch,  who  had  muffled  herself  up  in  her  cloak,  so 
that  her  face  could  not  easily  be  seen 

'  Good-day,  my  dear,"  said  the  witch.    "  Will  you  give 
me  a  few  of  those  ripe  berries  ?  ' 

"  Of  course  I  will,"  answered  Margot.  "  Take  as  many 
as  you  like,  I  can  easily  gather  some  more."  So  the  witch 
took  a  handful  of  berries,  and  sat  down  by  Margot 's  side  to 
eat  them.  And  all  the  time  she  was  eating  she  was  gazing 
greedily  at  the  little  girl's  white  neck  and  rosy  cheeks,  but 
Margot  could  not  see  the  hateful  look  in  the  witch's  eyes 
because  the  cloak  hid  her  face. 

"  Where  do  you  live,  little  girl  ?  "  asked  the  witch  after  a 
while. 

Margot  told  her,  and  the  witch  said  :  "  You  must  be 
very  tired  with  walking  all  that  way.  If  you  will  come  to  my 
house  I  will  give  you  a  bowl  of  milk  and  a  slice  of  currant 
cake,  and  you  shall  see  all  the  wonderful  things  that  I  keep 
in  my  cupboards." 

So  Margot  went  with  the  witch  into  the  gloomy  tower, 
not  so  much  because  she  wanted  the  milk  or  the  cake,  but  to 
see  the  pretty  things  in  the  cupboards,  and  no  sooner  was  she 
within  than  the  witch  fell  upon  her,  and  bound  her  fast  with 
a  cord,  and  carried  her  up  to  the  topmost  room,  where  the 
cat  was  sitting  blinking  its  green  eyes.  Then  the  old  witch 
opened  the  door  of  a  dark  cupboard,  and  pushed  poor  Margot 
inside,  for  she  meant  to  keep  her  there  until  she  had  grown 
bigger  and  fatter,  so  that  she  would  make  a  more  satisfying 
meal.  To  this  end  the  witch  brought  her  plenty  of  rich 


THE  WITCH'S  CAT 

food  every  day,  and  from  time  to  time  she  would  feel  Margot's 
arm  to  see  whether  she  was  plump  enough  to  go  into  the  pot. 


SHE  MEANT  TO   KEEP  HER   THERE  UNTIL  SHE   HAD   GROWN   BlGGER  AND   FATTER 

Poor  child,  how  frightened  she  was,  and  how  miserable  at 
being  kept  in  that  dark  cupboard  all  alone.  She  cried  nearly 
all  day  long,  but  there  was  nobody  to  hear  her  except  the 
witch's  big  black  cat,  and  he  was  a  silent  animal  who  did  not 
show  his  feelings.  Margot  was  almost  as  sorry  for  him  as 
she  was  for  herself,  for  the  witch  often  beat  him  unmercifully, 
and  the  girl  tried  to  comfort  him  by  giving  him  pieces  from 

175 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

her  dinner,  which  she  pushed  out  through  the  crack  under 
the  door. 

One  day  when  the  old  witch  had  gone  out  as  usual,  leaving 
Margot  a  prisoner,  the  girl  was  surprised  to  hear  a  voice 
speaking  to  her  from  the  room  beyond.  "  Margot,  Margot,'* 
said  the  voice,  "  don't  cry  any  more,  but  listen  to  me." 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  asked  the  little  girl. 

"  I  am  the  witch's  cat,"  the  voice  went  on.  "I  am  going 
to  push  the  key  of  the  cupboard  underneath  the  door.  Take 
it  and  let  yourself  out,  but  make  haste,  for  you  have  no  time 
to  waste  !  ' 

"  Thank  you,  thank  you,"  said  Margot,  when  she  found 
herself  free.  *  But  how  is  it  that  you  are  able  to  talk  ?  I 
did  not  know  that  cats  could  speak." 

"  They  can't,  as  a  rule,"  said  the  witch's  cat,  "  but  never 
mind  that  now.  The  witch  may  return  at  any  moment,  and 
we  must  get  you  safely  out  of  her  reach." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  said  Margot,  "  I  must  go  at  once.  I  will 
run  like  the  wind  !  ' 

"  That  is  no  use,"  said  the  cat.  "  Before  you  had  got 
half-way  home  the  witch  would  overtake  you." 

"  Then  what  must  I  do  ?  Is  there  anywhere  I  can 
hide?" 

'  When  she  returns  and  finds  you  gone  she  will  ransack 
every  corner  of  the  tower.  Not  even  a  mouse  could  escape 
her  keen  eyes." 

"Oh  dear!  oh  dear!'  said  Margot,  beginning  to  cry 
again.  "  Do  help  me  to  escape,  kind  cat,  and  I  will  be  grateful 
to  you  all  my  life." 

"  Of  course  I  will  help  you,"  answered  the  cat,  "  that  is 
why  I  let  you  out  of  the  cupboard.  Take  this  piece  of  carpet, 
and  when  the  witch  has  almost  overtaken  you,  throw  it  on  to 
the  ground  and  it  will  turn  into  a  wide  river.  That  will 
delay  her  for  some  time,  because  she  cannot  swim,  but  if  she 
manages  to  get  across,  and  overtakes  you  again,  throw  down 
this  comb,  which  will  immediately  change  into  a  dense 
forest.  You  may  plunge  into  it  without  fear,  for  a  way  will 
176 


THE  WITCH'S  CAT 

open  before  you  between  the  trees,  but  the  witch  will  have 
to  cut  a  way  through,  foot  by  foot,  with  her  knife  ;  and  long 
before  she  has  done  that  you  will  be  safely  home." 


PADDLING  WITH  HER  BROOM 

Margot  thanked  the  cat,  and  having  taken  the  carpet  and 
the  comb,  she  fled  swiftly  down  the  stairs. 

A  short  time  afterwards  the  witch  came  home,  and  when 
she  discovered  that  her  prisoner  had  escaped  she  howled  with 
rage.  Mounting  to  the  very  roof  of  the  tower,  she  gazed  out 
upon  the  countryside,  and  soon  descried  the  figure  of  the 

177 


M 


FOLK  TALES  OF  BEASTS  AND  MEN 

little  girl,  running  as  fast  as  she  could  in  the  direction  of  her 
home. 

*  I'll  have  you  yet,"  muttered  the  witch,  and  away  she 
went  after  her. 

Margot  saw  her  coming,  and  redoubled  her  speed,  but 
all  to  no  avail,  for  the  witch  gained  upon  her  rapidly.  Soon 
she  heard  her  hissing  breath,  and  looking  fearfully  over  her 
shoulder,  saw  the  baleful  look  of  triumph  in  her  eyes. 

Quickly  then,  Margot  took  out  the  strip  of  carpet  and  laid 
it  upon  the  ground.  Immediately  it  turned  into  a  wide  and 
swiftly  flowing  river.  The  witch  gave  a  cry  of  rage,  and  tried 
to  wade  after  her,  but  the  flood  mounted  swiftly,  first  to  her 
knees,  and  then  to  her  waist.  Another  moment  and  she 
would  have  been  swept  away,  but  taking  a  nutshell  from  her 
pocket  she  set  it  afloat  upon  the  waters,  muttering  a  charm 
as  she  did  so.  Then  the  nutshell  turned  into  a  little  boat, 
into  which  the  old  crone  pulled  herself,  and,  paddling  with 
her  broom,  made  shift  to  cross  the  river. 

The  delay  had  given  Margot  a  good  start,  but  the  witch 
wore  enchanted  boots  which  enabled  her  to  cover  the  ground 
at  a  wonderful  rate.  Ten  minutes  more  and  she  was  once 
again  at  Margot 's  heels. 

Then  the  little  girl  drew  out  the  comb  and  flung  it  behind 
her.  Immediately  a  dense  forest  sprang  up,  and  Margot 
fled  into  it,  through  an  alley  that  opened  itself  before  her. 
Spluttering  with  anger,  the  witch  drew  her  knife  to  hack  her 
way  through  the  wood,  but  long  before  she  had  cut  a  dozen 
yards  Margot  was  safely  home  and  in  her  mother's  arms. 

The  old  witch  made  her  way  back  to  the  tower,  and  the 
things  she  said  were  so  terrible  that  the  very  air  was  poisoned, 
and  the  grass  by  the  roadside  withered  and  turned  black. 
No  sooner  had  she  set  foot  within  her  doorway,  however, 
than  she  crumbled  to  dust,  and  a  wind  arose  and  blew  the 
dust  to  all  quarters  of  the  heavens. 

So  that  was  the  end  of  the  old  witch,  for  her  power  ceased 
as  soon  as  one  of  her  victims  managed  to  escape.  As  for  the 
black  cat,  nobody  ever  saw  him  again,  but  it  was  whispered 
178 


THE  WITCH'S  CAT 

that  he  was  really  a  Prince  whom  the  wicked  old  crone  had 
captured  years  before,  and  given  the  shape  of  a  cat  by  en 
chantment.  By  helping  Margot  to  escape  he  had  released 
himself  from  the  spell  that  bound  him,  and  was  enabled 
to  return  to  his  father's  kingdom. 


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